e-Paper May 26, 2013

Khosa pins hopes on new govts for Balochistan uplift Only public representatives can bring prosperity S O H B AT P U R — C a r e t a k e r sues in Balochistan would help the province play its role in national development.

Prime Minister Justice (R) Mir He said the speculations Hazar Khan Khoso Saturday were being made regarding hoped that the upcoming the elections in the country federal and provincial govwhen the caretaker governernments would strive to rement assumed charge, but the solve social and economic government concentrated on issues confronting the the sole mandate.

Balochistan people.

“I believe that only the Addressing a ceremony public representatives can to award this city the status bring prosperity in Pakistan of a district and launching of and ensure masses’ welfare,” various development Khoso said. projects, the prime minister said the resolution of the isContinued on Page 6

Mir Zafarullah Jamali joins PML-N GUJRAT: Women mourning next to the bodies of children killed in van fire.

Pak to continue with efforts for Afghan peace: Kayani

17 children, teacher burnt to death in van blaze

NP nominates Malik as parliamentary leader in Balochistan

Amid sobs, tears victims laid to rest

Q UETTA —National Party

OUR CORRESPONDENT GUJRAT—Seventeen school-

said.

TV footage showed the charred minibus and victims of the relatives crying outside a hospital. The van was carrying 24 children to a private school in Gujrat, when it caught fire, DPO Dar Ali Khattak told.

“The fire erupted in the vehicle when the children were only a few kilometres from their school,” he said.

The blaze was apparently caused by a spark when the driver of the dual-fuel van switched from gas to petrol, he said, adding that the fuel gas cylinder was intact.

children and a teacher burned to death in Mangowal area of Gujrat early Saturday when a shortArmy Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Saturday circuit near a faulty and leakmet with commander of the ing gas tank caused their minibus to be engulfed in International Security Assistance Force active in flames, police said.

Police officer Ijaz Ahmad Afghanistan and discussed said five children were also border issues. injured, three of whom were Talking to the ISAF listed in critical condition, in Commander, Gen Ashfaq the blaze in Gujrat about 200 Parvez Kayani said that Pakistan would continue to kilometers northwest of Islamabad. The children were make all efforts to bring aged between 6 and 12, he about peace in Afghanistan.

According to an ISPR satement, International Security Assistance Force commander Gen Joseph F Dunford met on Saturday OBSERVER REPORT with General Kayani at GHQ. LAHORE—Pakistan During the meeting, the P ARIS —A French soldier Te h r e e k - e patrolling a business neightwo discussed bilateral Insaf on Satborhood west of Paris was relations and security urday nomistabbed in the neck on Satissues along the Pakn a t e d urday by a man who quickly Afghan border. Strategy Makhdoom fled the scene and is being J a v e d Continued on Page 6 sought by police, President Hashmi as Francois Hollande said. its candidate The soldier was patrolfor the slot ling in uniform with two other of Prime men as part of France’s Minister. The decision was Continued on Page 6 taken after a meeting of the

STAFF REPORTER RAWALPINDI—Chief of

French soldier stabbed while on patrol near Paris

Continued on Page 6

(NP) president Dr Abdul M a l i k Baloch was nominated by his party as their parliamentary leader in Balochistan on Saturday.

Earlier, the Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party, Awami National Party and NP had thrown their weight behind Pakistan Muslim League–N for the

Continued on Page 6

JC recommends extension for 9 PTI nominates Javed Addl Judges Continued on Page 6

Hashmi for PM

Two quizzed over mid-air ‘fight’

LONDON—Two men are being questioned on suspicion of endangerment of PIA aircraft after an RAF Typhoon jet travelling from Pakistan to Manchester was scrambled to escort a passenger plane over the UK. The plane, which was travelling on Friday, was diverted to Stansted Airport, Essex. Pakistan International Airline (PIA) passenger plane, which was forced to land at a London airport has now arrived at Manchester.

Police boarded the Pakistan International Airlines flight PK709 and detained two men, British nationals aged 30 and 41.

Both the British nationals of Pakistani origin were arrested after they reportedly had a spat with the

Police said the van was carrying schoolchildren of Rajayki, Chak Khagha and Mangowal villages to Jinnah Public School when short circuit next to a leaking petrol tank caused a blaze in the vehicle.

As a result, Abdullah, his sister Zara, Aftab, Ahmad Raza, Shahzad, Eman Sajjad, Taimoor, Ali Hasan, Hassnat, Shaiza Mazaffar, Humdan, Salman, Atif, Riyan, Hasan and teacher Samiya Noor died on the Spot.

The injured were identified as Kanwal, Firdous,

STAFF REPORTER

PTI Parliamentary Party chaired by Imran Khan in Lahore.

PTI also announced its candidates for the slot of Speaker and Deputy Speaker in the National Assembly.

Shahryar Afridi, the MNAelect from Kohat, was nominated to contest for the Speaker while PTI’s Women Wing president Munaza Hasan was nominated for the slot of Deputy Speaker.

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ISLAMABAD —Judicial Commission has recommended one year extension in service of 9 additional judges of Sindh and Peshawar high courts and regularization of 4 additional judges of Peshawar High Court.

Media reports said meeting of JC was held hereunder Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry Saturday which was attended by care taker law minister, representative Continued on Page 6

What stars foretell about coming days!

MUZAFFAR ALI L AHORE —Besides an urgent need of healing the sick economy, to ease energy crisis and restore law and order situation across the country, there are three major challenges Mian Nawaz Sharif will have to tackle in his first seven months in his office. These pertain to the end of President’s Zardari’s tenure as President of Pakistan, the end of extended three year tenure of Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani and the retirement of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary and this may limit Sharif’s political maneuvers space till new succes-

sors are installed.

As for as President Asif Ali Zardari is concerned, earlier, some political parties including PML-N demanded resignation from Zardari prior to installation of new government in the centre and interestingly after outrageous defeat in elections, PPP leadership was also thinking on the same line that Asif Ali Zardari should lead the party after resigning from the slot of the president of the country. However, setting aside this kind of demand, Asif Ali Zardari vowed to complete his constitutional tenure that will be terminated on 9th September 2013. On the other hand, Mian Nawaz Sharif af-

ter his one to one meeting with Asif Ali Zardari during China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang two-day visit to Pakistan in Islamabad categorically said Asif Ali Zardari is the constitutional president of the country and PML-N will not demand resignation from him and let him complete his tenure amicably.

General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani will be the next in line to retire who was given three years extension which became effective from his earlier date of retirement, November 28, 2010, will end on 27th November 2013.

Kayani’s pro-democratic gesture was significant when he called Imran Khan, Paki-

stan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chief, and congratulated him for his party’s success in election while enquiring about his health. Similarly, an unprecedented move by General Kayani to strengthen the upcoming civilian government was appreciated from all corners when he personally called on the country’s incoming prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shahbaz Sharif in Lahore. In Nawaz Sharif’s previous two Prime Ministerial tenures he was eased out of office by the Pakistan Army when he made moves against the “Core Interests” of the Pa-

Continued on Page 6

Power load-shedding main hurdle retarding Pak economy SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Former prime minister and independent MNA-elect from NA-266 Mir Zafarullah Jamali Saturday met Pakistan Muslim League-N President Nawaz Sharif and formally announced his decision to join the PML-N. During the meeting, the two leaders exchanged views over the overall country’s political situation and challenges to be faced by the LAHORE: Former Prime Minister Mir Zafarullah Khan Continued on Page 6 Jamali meeting with PML-N Chief Muhammad Nawaz Sharif.

Quality edu at primary level a great challenge: Shaukatullah P ESHAWAR —The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor, Engineer Shaukatullah on Saturday appreciated the Higher Education Commission (HEC) for holding training workshops for the principals of degrees colleges, affiliated to various universities. Governor said that it indeed is a correct approach to building capacity of the respective heads with special focus on promoting their technical know-how on ensuring information technology based efficient administration and further strengthen vision.

Addressing at the concluding ceremony of the first ever seven day long workshop which he hosted

Woman dead after falling from rooftop FAISALABAD—A woman was killed after falling from rooftop in Mansoorabad police limits. According to police, 38-year-old Bashiran Bibi of Makkah Colony was busy in domestic works at rooftop of her house when she accidentally slipped and fell down on the ground. As a result, she received critical injuries and was rushed to a local hospital but she died.—APP

at Governor ’s House, the Governor said, making imparting of quality education at every level especially at the primary level possible is beyond doubt a great challenge which demands integrated approach to derive the desired goals. “Being keen observer of the working of primary schools in FATA, it is my desire that the HEC should also come forward and help us in making their functioning fully productive in all respects,” he remarked.

The ceremony besides all the twenty principals of different degree colleges from across the province was also attended by senators, Ilyas Ahmad Bilour, Haji Muhammad Adeel,

nario of education system, the Governor further pointed out that time of the new generation especially at the primary level is much more precious and I would like to sit with the authorities of the HEC especially at the regional level to seek way forward for capacity building of heads of primary educational institutions of FATA on the similar lines. Educational institutions are the nurseries for developing future leaderships and there is a need to follow a crash programme to develop them to the desired level and let us take start from training their heads, he said.—APP

Vehicles collision leaves five dead, two injured HYDERABAD —Five persons result of collision, Bashir

including a police officer and his family lost their lives while two others received serious injuries as a result of collision on Indus Highway near Petaro, some 25 kilometres from here on Saturday morning. According to Edhi Wefare Centre, Station House Officer of GOR Police Station Hyderabad Bashir Ahmed Soomro along with bridegroom son, bride and other members of the family was on way to Karachi from Larkana in car No: AF.131.

When the car reached near Petaro, it collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction as the driver lost the of steering while overF AISALABAD —Intermediate control taking another vehicle. As a (Part-1) examinations 2013 will commence under the aegis of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Faisalabad from June 4. Malik Zafar Iqbal, the Controller Examinations BISE Faisalabad, told here on Saturday that roll number slips had been dispatched to private candidate at their given postal addresses whereas regular students could get the same from their respective education institutions.—APP

Inter exams commencing from June 4

Haji Ghulam Ali and Mrs. Farhat Abbas besides Senator Abdul Razzaq from FATA and some of the senior educationists of the province. It is worth mentioning that the moot was a part of long series of similar events under which 20,000 principals of degree colleges at the national level will be offered opportunities to update their knowledge and administrative skills and the next workshop is expected to be attended by 60 heads of the respective institutions in this province. The ceremony was also addressed by Syed Imtiaz Hussain Gilani and the Regional Director of HEC Farmanullah.

Highlighting certain aspects of the prevailing sce-

Ahmed Soomro, bride Shahana, mother of bride Sakina, sister of bride Seema and driver Dildar Khokhar died on the spot while bridegroom son Naim Ahmed Soomro and another passenger whose name could not be ascertained yet received serious injuries.

Edhi ambulances rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies and injured persons to Liaquat University Hospital Jamshoro where after completion of medico legal formalities, the bodies of the deceased persons were handed over to their relatives and the injured persons remained under treatment in the hospital.

Sargodha: Two persons were killed in incidents on Saturday. According to police, Amanullah of Chak 34 NB was ploughing a field with a tractor when he fell down and died on the spot.

Noor Muhammad of Chak 92 Morr was riding a cycle when an unidentified vehicle hit him on Jhang road. As a result, he died instantly.

Faisalabad—A motorcyclist was killed when a speeding vehicle collided near Peoples Colony police station. According to police, Sheikh Waqqas (24) was on the way on his motorcycle when a rashly driven speeding bus hit him at Jhal Khannuana Bridge.—APP

Court releases NATO vehicles on payment of surety bond H YDERABAD —The Civil Court number-8 here Saturday released six vehicles of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) after submission of Rs 1.2 million surety bond. According to the court sources, a manager of the transport company Abdul Fateh Daudpoto submited the bonds for Rs 200,000 each for the vehicles.

The vehicles, which include four Armoured Personnel Carriers and two trucks, were recovered last Tuesday in a police raid at a place in the limits of Hatri police station.

The police also arrested five suspects including Zar Muhammad, Zamir Khan, Akhtar Hussain, Noor Akbar and Mairaj Khan for stealing the vehicles. According to the SHO, Muneer Abbassi, the suspects had removed parts of the vechicles like wireless system, air conditioners.—APP

PESHAWAR: Five terrorists arrested by Chamkani Police were presented before the Anti-Terrorist Court.

Burning up in heat, no water M HALEEM ASAD TALAGANG —Non-availability of water supply in entire Tehsil Talagnag had become a routine matter due to unannounced extensive load shedding, the. This water suspension adding to the woes of people with the rise in mercury level, the duration of load shedding has gone up in Tehsil Talagang.

20 hours load shedding in entire Tehsil is causing problems, miseries and huge distress in the public and they start believing that they are not being treated on equality basis. It has started happening in Talagang soon after the election and now it has crossed all the limits.

Residents said that they even cannot find water to drink and having a bath is seems to be a big luxury now a days. Local and social circles said that they are planning to do sit-in, on the inter-provincial road and they will not finish it till the acceptance of their demands.

On the other hand these circles have shown serious concerns on the careless attitude of newly elected members of parliament towards this serious public issue.

They said it is just unbelievable that they are enjoying their lives in expensive generators and showing no solidarity with us at this time of misery.

Prof Akbar’s book wins praise ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Brazil Alfredo Leoni pose for photo with Brazilian artist I SLAMABAD —Scholars and Dimaz on the occasion of solo exhibition of Dimax . diplomats expressed appreciation for Professor Akbar Ahmed’s newest book that sheds light on ongoing conflicts in the tribal regions and America’s drone campaign as the acclaimed author introR AWALPINDI —Anti Narcot- appropriate time, said a press o Killi Khundiabad, Quetta duced his research work to has been arrested on the audiences in New York. Dr. ics Force (ANF) seized 5934 release.

On confirmation of the spot. kilograms hashish near Killi Ahmed, the former Pakistani In another operation, ANF High Commissioner to the Shamsuzai, Tehsil Gulistan, information, ANF intercepted district Qilla Abdullah, a Bedford Truck near Killi Balochistan seized 354 kgs United Kingdom and Ibn Shamsuzai, Tehsil Gulistan, chars from the area of Gawadar. Khaldun Chair of Islamic Balochistan.

The value of recovered nar- Studies at Washington’s As per the details, ANF District Qilla Abdullah.

During the search of truck cotics in international market American University, delivreceived an information that some international drug traf- 5580 kgs chars (Garda) was is in billions. Cases under CNS ered the inaugural annual lecfickers have brought huge recovered from the secret Act-1997 have been registered ture to the American Friends quantity of narcotics from cavities of the truck. One ac- against the accused persons. of the School of Oriental and Afghanistan and will try to cused namely Muhammad Further investigation is in African Studies, London, at smuggle to abroad at some Zahoor s/o Bahadur Khan r/ progress.—APP New York University.—APP

ANF seizes 5934 kgs hashish

PM takes notice of excessive loadshedding I S L A M A B A D — C a r e t a k e r unfair distribution of power vened any meeting or tribal Prime Minister Justice (R) Mir Hazar Khan Khoso Saturday took notice of the excessive loadshedding in the country and exchanged views with Minister for Water and Power on the latest situation after the release of Rs. 5 billion by the Federal Government for the procurement of fuel. The Prime Minister directed Dr. Musadiq Malik to take immediate measures to improve the situation.

The Prime Minister said that he was concerned about the problems being faced by the people due to loadshedding.

The TESCO has put the lives of the tribesmen in troubles by 23 hours load shedding in FATA. The discriminatory and

supply has caused inconvenience to the tribal people. The power suspension has also created famine of potable water in Landikotal and elsewhere in FATA. The government and the FATA Secretariat has no alternative to overcome the intolerable power break down in Landikotal, which has been giving birth to negative thinking against the government and authorities by not taking any notice of the excessive load shedding which is more than 23 hours, locals lamented. The local people have regretted that the political administration, the concerned authorities and other government high ups have not con-

Quetta facing acute water shortage: Rind Q UETTA —Former

nazim Quetta Muhammad Aslam Rind has said that the provincial capital has been facing acute scarcity of potable water after WASA has switched off its several tube-wells. In a statement issued, here on Saturday, he said: “About three million population of the metropolis is suffering difficulties due to non-supply of water to them by Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) as the department had switched off its several tube-wells or not paying attention to get the tube-wells repaired those had gone out of order.”

He said that people of Quetta have been left at the mercy of tanker mafia in the time of sky-rocketing price hike when poor people could not afford to purchase water from tanker mafia. Meanwhile, it is also reported that five districts of Larkana division and the neighbouring Usta Muhammad area of Balochistan are suffering from an acute shortage of

irrigational water. The districts include Larkana, KambarShahdadkot, Shikarpur, Kandhkot-Kashmore and Jacobabad.

The Mehar and Dadu regions have also been affected.

Rice growers in these areas had sown paddy and other crops on about 1.6 million acres of land but have not yet been able to transplant paddy saplings due to the severe shortage of water. The Rice Canal and Keerthar Canal, which are fed from the Indus River, have run dry. Water is usually released to these canals on May 10 every year, which enables farmers to sow saplings for their crops.

This year, however, the release of water has been delayed due to unknown reasons, after which fertile agricultural lands have turned seemingly arid. The rice sapling is ready for transplantation within a month of its sowing, with the activity gaining full force in June.—APP

jirga to take the masses or their tribal elders into confidence on the causes of excessive and unfair load shedding in Landikotal and other parts of FATA. ANP leader Shahid Afridi was of the view that government and its organs did not consider tribesmen as legitimate citizens of Pakistan that is why the tribesmen have been mistreated at every level, saying that WAPDA/ TESCO has resorted to provoke the tribesmen to come on the road to protest violently which must be noticed.

ANP leader said that power suspension from Landikotal has put the lives of the people in great troubles.—APP

WHO asks for timely information sharing I SLAMABAD —The World Health Organization (WHO) has asked for its members to implement obligations to the International Health Regulations and provide timely information to WHO, stressing that WHO collaborating centers would not take profits from intellectural property right on viruses.

Margaret Chan, DirectorGeneral of WHO, told health ministers attending the WHO’s annual conference in Geneva that when it came to new and emerging infections, it was not a country’s problem but a global one, which required a coordination mechanism, whereby the assets of the world could be pooled together to figure out as soon as possible whether any new pathogene was to pose a public health threat.

The chief of the health organization urged its memberships to ensure the sharing of virus specimens or other specimens of any new.—APP

PPP supports new government ISLAMABAD —Senior leader amendments in the best inter- Democracy is big power and for of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Syed Khurshid Ahmed Shah Saturday assured his party support to new government on all important national issues. Speaking at press conference here at the party central secretariat, he said PPP was ready to extend all possible support to PML-N in resolving problems being faced by the country.

He said PPP would also support the new government in introducing constitutional

est of the country. Khurshid Shah hoped that new government continuing the democratic spirit of PPP would establish good relations with provinces as 18th amendment and NFC gave more provincial autonomy and resources to federating units. “Nothing is more important than peace. we will fight terrorism together” , he said.

He wished that new government complete five year tenure so that nobody usurp the right of people in future.” we will continue our support

its continuation”.

Khurshid Shah informed that PPP led government had implemented 80 percent articles of Chartered of Democracy (CoD) and expected from PML-N government to follow the charter in letter and spirit.

He lamented that Election Commission is taking about introducing new laws of contempt for criticising ECP. Earlier, leader of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, Khurram Dastgir has said that the incoming government would adopt an effective foreign

policy to stop the drone attacks. The PML-N-led government would take urgent steps to overcome load-shedding in the country, he added.

While talking to a private television channel, Khurram claimed that the PML-N would win the hearts and minds of people through its performance and implement the people-friendly policies.

He stressed that Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) should adopt legal course regarding their complaints about the election results.—APP

ISLAMABAD: Chaudhry Faisal Mushtaq TI, Idea Sponsor of the Chinese Language Initiative and GEO Roots Millennium Schools, Management, Staff and students of CRIRoots Confucius Classroom with Premier of China Li Keqiang and Prime Minister of Pakistan Mir Hazar Khan Khoso at Pakistan China Friendship Centre.

CM wants city improvement plans H YDERABAD —Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (Retd) Zahid Kurban Alavi has directed the Municipal Administration Hyderabad to prepare Solid Waste Management (SWM) and City Improvement Plans so that the citizens of the historic city do not face any inconvenience and avail better health and sanitation at their nearest.

He said that by virtue of its population and economic viability, Hyderabad is second largest city of Sindh and all individuals and organisations must work for its betterment.

The Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister expressed these remarks at a briefing about the performances of HMC and WASA here at old Zila Nazim’s Secretariat Hyderabad.

He said that solid waste is being reused or recycled in the present modern era but for that purpose a good management and planning is needed. He directed the Administrator HMC to get a land fill site established outside the city and arrange for efficient disposal of garbage from the city area. He said that an estimated amount of Rs 50 million for the scheme of patch work of city roads would be provided to HMC management.

While commenting on the new schemes conceived by HMC management, he directed the management to change their priorities from less important to more important and public- oriented schemes that can provide relief to the common man. Referring to the liabilities of Rs 75 million against HMC which piled up due to undertaking huge task of lifting garbage and making the city clean, the Caretaker Chief Minister asked the officers to submit their summary in this regard immediately. The Administrator HMC Syed Barkat Rizvi while briefing the Caretaker Chief Minister about the achievements and problems, said that HMC is experiencing acute financial crises.—APP

Sargodha-Lalamusa track 7 trains stopped for fuel deficit SHER GONDAL MANDI BAHAUDDIN—Problems and difficulties of Mandi Bahauddin people are increasing with every passing day. Seven trains running between Sargodha and Lalamusa have been stopped due to none availability of fuel. Supply of gas for domestic use has been suspended and LPG is being black marketed. Scourge of power load shedding is

gradually becoming unbearable. On the other side inflated bills are received by consumers. MPs elect do not tire of making statements that a new Pakistan had emerged on completion of 11 May election and destiny of people had changed.

The Nature has also clamped a steaming hot weather over the area. Prices are going sky high. Courts remain un-functional on last three days of the week due

to lawyers boycott. Justice has gone beyond the reach of the public. Dacoity, robbery, theft incidents are a routine and government officials have adopted complacent attitude.

Heads of departments hold conferences at their respective offices and issue press releases on their achievements but on ground the situation is deteriorating.

The press releases state that that district will be turned

heaven of peace and justice will prevail. Culprits and law violators would be dealt with iron hands. Bribe and old Thana culture would be brought to an end and police station will be turned as role model for other districts but all these reiterations are like statements of political leaders that are hardly followed by action.

Offices and residences of officers are air conditioned where electric generators run on public expense.

256 students held for using unfair means LARKANA—On the ninth day of the examination process of Annual Examinations-2013 of Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) Part I & II (Class XI & XII), of the Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education (BISE) Larkana, the vigilance teams of the Board Saturday caught 256 male and female students red handed while using unfair means (copying) in the examinations. The Chairman BISE Larkana, Professor Muhammad Daud Memon had formed vigilance teams to control the use of unfair means.

The vigilance teams on Saturday conducted surprise raids at various examination centres of Larkana, KamberShahdadkot, Shikarpur,

Kandhkot-Kashmore, Jacobabad districts and two talukas of Dadu district including Khairpur Nathan Shah and Mehar and held 256 students while using unfair means (copying) in the Physics-I paper of the exams. Besides, the vigilance teams also caught 37 impersonators sitting in the examination centres to solve the papers in place of actual students.

Meanwhile, the Chairman BISE, Professor Muhammad Daud Memon along-with Controller of Examinations Sikandar Ali Mirjat on Saturday visited various examination centres of Larkana city to review the process of Annual Examinations-2013.—APP

Partly cloudy weather forecast ISLAMABAD—The

Met Office here Thursday forecast a scattered dust-storm with isolated rain in some parts of country that would drop current severe temperature down with great extent. According to a Spokesman of Met Office, seasonal low lies over Balochistan and Central parts of the country and that current heat wave conditions is likely to continue in plain areas of the country till Sunday.

The Spokesman said the current heat wave was likely to end after Friday as scattered dust-storm with isolated rain is expected in Islamabad, Upper Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Kashmir and Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday/ Sunday.

In next 48 hours, he said weather will mainly remain very hot and dry in most parts of

UAF to achieve excellence F AISALABAD —Prof Dr Iqrar Ahmad

the country including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said weather remained very hot and dry in most parts of the country in last 24 hours, saying no rain was reported

Khan Vice Chancellor (VC) University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF) said during this period. Jacobabad that UAF was striving to achieve exwas remained the country’s cellence in all quality indicators of hottest place where 50 degree various ranking systems of the world centigrade temperature was by creating an environment of comrecorded followed by Sibbi, petition. Addressing the young facLarkana, Bhakkar and Nurpur ulty members about fetch research Thal, 49 degree centigrade funding inland and abroad here on Dadu, Padidan, Sukkur, Friday, he said the HEC was providMoenjodaro, Shaheed ing scholarships to Pakistani students for top ten uni- ABBOTTABAD: A nomad family coming on truck from Punjab due to extremely hot weather.

Benazirabad.—APP versities of the world. “The ranking provides opportunities to the institution to market its products, making international commitments and collaborations” he added. “At higher education level, in the community of nations, where we compete for grants, scholarships and other collaborative programmes, they want to know where we stand internationally, and such global ranking gives us extra marks in dealing with such initiatives” he described. Dr Iqrar urged the young faculty to come up with solutions of problems faced by him to police station.

The Rabat elders M HALEEM ASAD the society and industry by making outreach activiThey said that police said that the Wari police ties and conducing stakeholders’ workshop. He said the HEC has formulated new criteria for awarding re- T IMERGARA —Local trad- even did not allow locals to had promised them to regsearch projects by incorporating outreach impact of ers and political activists rescue the youth from the ister a case against the ofthe proposed project. He urged the young faculty to of Rabat, Dir, on Saturday river who lost his life and ficials concerned but so far use their skills at national as well as internationally warned blocking the his dead body was fished no case had been regisand earn good name for the institution. Director Office Timergara Chitral road if a out at a distance of one ki- tered in that regard.

They gave a 24 hours of Research Innovations and Commercialization (ORIC) case against officials of lometer from Wari.

They said the youth dead line to police to regthe Wari Dir Upper police Dr. Asif Ali Khan applauded the contributions of lecturers and assistant professors in raising the research station was not registered was innocent and had gone ister the case otherwise, for allegedly killing a to Wari to meet one of his they warned to block the funding of the University to Rs 2,200 million.—APP youth. Speaking at a news relatives. They said that his Timergara Chitral road for conference at Rabat local body search was conducted vehicular traffic.

Seasonal diseases on rise Ghulam Jan, father of elders, traders and politi- by a police official in plainthe 18 years old victim told H Y D E R A B A D —The “Incidences of cal activists including clothes.

The youth scuffled with reporters that he was premalaria, typhoid, diarrhea, and dengue former UC nazim Shad fever, sun stroke and others diseases Nawaz Khan, Haji Ghulam him but local traders re- paring to leave for Karachi are on the rise with the progress of Jan, Haji Zahidullah, solved the matter in Wari as he had been tailoring summer season.” Eminent child spe- Shamsul Islam, Haji Hamza Bazaar. The elders said that there. He said his son cialist and pediatrician of Liaquat Khan, Haji Amin Ghafoor later two more police offi- jumped into the river as he University of Medical and Health Sci- and others alleged that a cials in uniform approached had been harassed by the ences (LUMHS) Jamshoro Dr. Salma youth Munir Zeb s/o the youth and tortured him. Wari police. “He was innoThe youth ran away to cent and did this act beShaikh pointed it out while talking to Ghulam Jan, a resident of Rabat had avoid his arrest and jumped cause he was ignorant of this scribe here on Saturday. She said Nawagai the law,” the father said that the diseases could be prevented jumped into the river into the Panjkora river.

They alleged that police and demanded of the chief with precautionary measures and advised the people to Panjkora at Wari Dir Upuse water after extracting it from deep underground as per the other day when the chasing the youth, did not justice of Pakistan to take subsoil water was mostly contaminated. “Besides, boiled Wari police first tortured allow locals to rescue the suo motu action of the FAISALABAD: Children studying outside their home during power loadshedding. water should be used for drinking and hygiene should him and then tried to take victim and he was drowned. matter. be maintained in food and lifestyles,” she stressed. Dr. Salma Shaikh said that the number of the patients, suffering from viral and bacterial diseases, like diarrhea, scabies, bronchitis, asthma, malaria, typhoid, dengue fever have been on rise due to the hot summer season.

The pediatrician said that contaminated water and unhygienic food was also causing typhoid, adding that the typhoid virus could live in ice-cream. “Besides, an eye-ailment, called conjunctivitis, is also increasing among people,” she added. She informed that cholera is one of the extremely virulent infections and it is caused by a bacterium known as Vibrio Cholera, which thrives in areas where proper environmental management is scarce. She said that the untreated sewage, contaminated water and insufficient sanitation do not discourage the rapid growth of this pathogen. The health expert said that typical at-risk countries are those where basic infrastructure is not available and essential requirements for clean water and appropriate hygiene are not met. Person to person transmission is rare and the frequent cause for invasion of the pathogen is coming in direct contact with bathing- in, drinking, cooking in or handling water saturated with impurities and contamination.—APP

Traders urge police to register FIR in killing case

30 check posts setup F AISALABAD —The police department has set up 30 new check posts in and around the city to control crimes. A spokesman for the police department told here on Saturday that 20 check posts had been established in different parts of the city areas while 10 check posts were set up at entry and exit points of the district.

He said these check posts would also help police to seal the district in case of any emergency. He told that as many as 300 police officials, including sub-inspectors (SIs) and assistant subinspectors (ASIs), had been deputed on these check posts.

Meanwhile city Traffic Police have formed two mobile teams to provide potable drinking water to traffic war-

den on their duty spots in the city. A spokesman for the traffic police told here on Saturday that the mobile teams would remain active from 9:00 am to 11:00 pm daily and provide cold drinking water to on-duty traffic wardens.

Bannu: Another case of poliovirus attack surfaced in FR Bannu area taking the total number of polio cases to 10 in the country during current year. According to National Institute of Health, the polio case was detected in semi tribal area of Bannu district where presence of the virus was confirmed in oneyear-old Ehtisham at village Maltan Khel. The father of the effected child had refused polio drops to his child.—APP

22-hour load shedding!

MEDIA WATCH

A new response in WOT

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T is unheard of that a country full of required resources and potential to grow should experience load-shedding for almost the entire day.

Reports emanating from different parts of the country speak of 22 hour power outages causing not only unimaginable difficulties for the masses but also leading to death of several people a day.

This is really shameful that power crisis that began about seven years back, instead of mitigating, is compounding with the passage of every day. This is despite the fact that Raja Pervez Ashraf in his capacity as both Federal Minister for Water and Power and Prime Minister of the country had been delivering hour-long speeches to explain the situation and so-called comprehensive and alround strategy adopted by the PPP Government to tackle the challenge. We have been emphasizing in these columns since the very beginning of the crisis that power shortfall has not much to do with the demand and supply as it is question of circular debt, theft and massive corruption yet instead of addressing these issues, the PPP Government opted for Rental Power Projects to mint money.

Similarly, one fails to understand the logic of having more thermal power plants when the country is unable to arrange oil for those already established and some of them are closed for more than one year due to nonsupply of fuel and others are operating at much below their installed capacity for the same reason. We are also being told that circular debt is because of huge difference in production and sale cost of electricity. In the first place, this is also gift of the PPP’s previous Government that allowed excessively high tariff to IPPs. Secondly, experts say the cost could be brought down by converting oil-based plants into coal-fired and replacing corroded turbines that have caused more than fifty percent reduction in the generation capacity of different plants. It is also an open secret that almost fifty percent oil is pocketed by corrupt elements but full cost is added to the generation cost. Those responsible for pushing the nation into darkness and to era of candles and hand fans should be made accountable and the new Government should make it a priority to address all ills of the power sector simultaneously.

Fight in PIA’s UK flight U

NFORTUNATELY it has become almost a daily occurrence that some thing ugly takes place somewhere in the world that brings our beloved country into negative light. Two Pakistani men were arrested at Stansted Airport by the Essex Police on suspicion of endangerment of a PIA aircraft on Friday after a Royal Air Force Typhoon jet was scrambled to escort the flight at the request of the pilot.

The incident, which was caused by a scuffle inside the flight, made Pakistan subject of discussion and focus of attention of the global community in general and Britain in particular where media flashed the development instantly. Pakistan remains in the centre of discussions on all terrorism related issues yet the recent elections presented a softer and bold image of the country before international community. Completion of tenure by one Government and democratic transition to the new one sent a strong message to the world that Pakistan has inbuilt mechanism to go for self-correction but incidents like the one of PIA flight mar progress towards positive direction. What the two passengers did is reflective of overall attitude of Pakistani passengers who behave like feudals immediately on boarding an aircraft. Attitude of most of the passengers towards crew and especially air hostesses is often found to be unbecoming and results into ugly scenes. Our national airline is already passing through turbulent period and such ugly incidents affect its image further and create more problem for it. This is time to ponder as to why our country should suffer because of individual follies. As for the PIA incident, we hope the culprits would be brought to book on completion of the on-going investigations.

Enigmatic reactivation of TTP in KPK B

ANNED Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is generally considered a conglomerate of various militant outfits based in FATA but no one can say with certainty who are the real people carrying out terrorist activities by using its nomenclature. However one thing is certain that the so-called TTP has been infiltrated by a host of agencies and outlaws who are following their agenda to keep Pakistan on the boil.

We say so because of Friday’s rocket attack in Mattani area near FR Darra Adamkhel and a suicide explosion targeting an Afghan religious leader in Peshawar. These incidents belie the impression that process of dialogue between government of Pakistan and TTP is in the offing. The two gory incidents in KPK are enigmatic indicating reactivation of TTP in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa, which have once again plunged Pakistan into uncertainty. The Mattani attack killed six police personnel while DPO Kohat whose vehicle was targeted was injured. The Peshawar blast killed three and caused serious injuries to many others while Haji Hayatullah, leader of Jamaatul Dawat Al Quran Alsunnah whose vehicle was hit by the bomber escaped as he was not present in the vehicle. Before the general elections, TTP had offered negotiations with the government and leaders of various political parties responded positively. But in a letter to the media last month, TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud claimed that they succeeded politically after they were asked by the government to negotiate and thus tried to give the impression of being in a strong position. Anyhow continuation of blasts and attacks reflect that the militants are being dictated by foreign powers and the new government would have a daunting challenge how to tackle this menace and weed out foreign funded elements.

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Strangled by roots may we now have a game on hand and a very serious one. shouting is over and the Dr Zafar Altaf The hail brother well met will be Email:dr_altaf@hotmail.com subjected to who gets the better of the pie.

Is there grinding poverty in he new government will Pakistan and if there is what can be soon be in harness and yet done about it. Begging will not get that government has had no us in any way to the betterment of intellectual input from the anchors that lot. Then the question arises and that we have. They have done their I was once asked to take Dr Skinner parochial bit even if they say that [Harvard University] of the they are fair and free anchors. In behaviorist’s school to see one of the life there can be no one who can be schools in Bhara Kau [early 1970’s]. objective without a degree of sub- It was located on the main road and jectivity. I witness this debate and was under a banyan tree. Dr Skinwonder when we will be able to do ner looked at it and wanted to get things dispassionately. The interna- back as soon as possible. I will not tional scene has been rigged for us repeat what he said. We now have but does that mean that the domes- an HEC and we have some thing for tic scene should also be rigged? Ev- the children of the aristocrat and the erything that we have in trust has powerful. In the 60’s it was PIDE been lost to materialism. The quan- where the sons and daughters of setifiable aspects are one but the nior bureaucrats were sent out for unquantifiable; the intangibles do PhD at government expense. HEC not work as well. Why are we so is doing the same. Cambridge-Oxnaïve that we are unable to do the ford and USA universities were going to make a knowledge dent in to ordinary things well?

Can the new system play fairly the system. It did not work.

So can we hope for better things by the opposition or are we in for another free for all. The macro as now or as one of my Chief Secrewell as the micro social system is tary asked me of the referendum full of hate and conflict so much so ‘Ghus ja scheme kaisi chal rahee hai that cynics have said that the one [a reference to Zia’s referendum]? colossal success that Pakistan has How is equity going to play out behad is in conflict increase. Can the tween the Pathans, the Balochs, the new government turn itself in to a Sindhis and the Punjabis? How are party that will deal fairly with all inter see and intra see matters going and above all can turn its back on to be resolved. Does the party know those that have distressed merit? In how to control are wild personalifact have the political system erred ties or are there none there? With in its selection of representatives on limited resources we have had the the basis of some criteria or were first salvo of the budget and the feelthe wishes of the boss primary in ing that if there is no taxation then the selection process. Be that as it its people’s friendly budget. How

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then are the resources to be obtained and who will ridge the gap. Why not tax the rich? Why let them off the hook? Why spare the big landlords and why has this country not devised a system for the taxation of the sector. Admittedly 93% will not fall in the tax net but the rest can. Why not tax the assets of the politicians and the bureaucrats? The assets of both are known and I can tell you that the ECP and the establishment division have them. I looked at some of the assets of the politicians and I was aghast at what I saw. The assets were disproportionate to their incomes.

Prize bonds were used for whitening back money.

The political system has been giving during the electioneering time bombastic statements. Can these be redeemed? How is the nation to be welded together through social, cultural, economic and leisure systems to be part of a national system? The virtues that leisure can cultivate are not even understood. The social system cannot be created by the whims of egoists. It has a much deeper aspect and the roots have to go deep if the strangulation of this nation has to stop. A changed course would mean adequate institutional basis. A new format made by a new attitude of independence and self-humility.

We have to see all that.

The trouble with ivory towers working is that one does not see deep enough. Democracy is supposed to have served this need. But has it?

What then is required? The new institutions have to serve and not boss.

In other words these institutions will have to have a democratic manner of dealing and that too in a federating attitude. I can bet that the federating

attitude has not been even acknowledged in Pakistan. Chinese Premier was here and there choice of leadership is election by selection. A 1500 polit-bureau determines the basis and determines the criteria for selection of many candidates and then the polit bureau selects by voting one of the many candidates that are placed before them. China has an impressive record of development and poverty removal. For many years lectures on economic transition from socialism to capitalism were given by me at Fatima Jinnah University and one found that China was a country apart. They were not going to follow any formula that was provided by the West. Having worked in Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan for almost two years I realized that accepting aid from the west was not a blessing but rather it exacerbated the rigidities in the system.

What can Pakistan learn from China? China stood tall on its own feet. No country no matter how much it wants can do the trick that one’s own countrymen can. That is simple and straightforward action that has to be done. Having gone in for self-reliance in policy and implementation the next best is to see that the resources are used to the full. Discipline counts in this.

China under Mao and Chou were able to achieve this. If one were to look at the inaction that we have had then it is obvious that Pakistan will not move forward till such time as the ability to stand on its own becomes a matter of national pride.

At the moment we are a rogue nation-that is how the world sees us.

Can we change?

Energy policy for public fuel prices, the developments on oil and gas pipelines also Rizwan Ghani contributed towards adoption of renewable energy as part of Email:sadcat44@hotmail.com foreign policy independence.

Islamabad needs to adopt similar steps to end load shedding, vercoming electricity unemployment and protect national shortage in Pakistan is interests. more of a political quesGas fired power generation is tion than an issue of finance, tech- outdated. Recent reports in British nology or expertise. It is clear from media have shown that internathe details of energy presentations tional power companies are shiftgiven to Projected PM and new ing to coal to cut power generation government’s energy policy out- costs and increase profits (BBC lines available in the media that the report). However, the media reincoming energy policy is outdated ports in Pakistan show that our inand will not provide any relief to coming government is headed to the public, industry or the country. increase gas fired power generaIn their party manifestoes, political tion, which will cause multiple parties have already given them- problems, including continuation selves three to five years time to of domestic gas load shedding, overcome energy shortages, which mega gas thefts by powerful indusshows a lack of urgency to over- trial sector, depleting reserves and come energy crises at a political rising costs. The government can level. However, Pakistan can use overcome these challenges by ensuccessful world energy models to forcing the licensing agreement overcome energy shortages in the under which industrialists are next six months and become an en- bound to generate power indepenergy surplus country through short, dently. The circular debt is increasmedium and long-term plans. ing due to corruption, power pilPakistan needs to adopt renew- ferage (Rs 210 bn annually) and oil able energy based energy model in- based flawed energy model. stead of oil based model. It can end Pakistan needs to nationalize load shedding in six months. Ev- energy sector. The UK gas compaery sixth person is selling surplus nies 30 % profiteering instead of electricity to energy producers in 2-3.5 % profits limits has shown Germany. The country is produc- that privatization of energy sector ing 36 GW (1 GW =1000MW) has failed (Six UK energy firms acfrom wind and solar. The rooftop cused of profiteering, April 12, the installations doubled in 2012 in Guardian). The corruption and inGermany due to government tax efficiency in independent energy incentives, distribution of solar sector has turned it into a mafia. It photovoltaic systems, reduction in has failed to serve consumers, cost of solar products and increase lower energy prices, modernize inin battery storage capacity. China frastructure and become economiis generating 46GW from renew- cally independent despite manifold able, and 18 million plus house- price increase. If taxpayers, conholds have shifted to renewable sumers and state have to pay Rs energy in America. The parity in 800 bn in form of circular debt due per unit price of coal and solar en- to failures of energy sector, then it ergy was achieved in China in June merits to be nationalized. Energy 2012 (China Daily). The rise of sector should serve public interests.

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Norwegian Parliament passed a bill, which ensured that government of the day will spend energy profits on development of energy sector and deposit surplus amount in public pension schemes. The bill allows 10 percent profit to foreign investors. The illegal levy imposed on Pakistani consumers to pay circular debt must end, and steps ought to be taken to bring down per unit price of gas and electricity to their

Pakistan can use successful world energy models to overcome energy shortages in the next six months and become an energy surplus country through short, medium and long-term plans.

Pakistan needs to adopt renewable energy based energy model instead of oil based model. production cost. There is no justification to sell Rs 5/kg gas for Rs 105. The judiciary should take note of abuse of public rights, national resources and mafias. On lines of Norway, Pakistan needs to take control of its energy sector to protect its geo-economic, geo-strategic interests and allow public to benefit from country’s natural resources.

At the individual level, 80% Pakistanis live below $2 and on minimum wage are forced to pay 25 % of their monthly income for energy bills. It is impacting education, healthcare and living standards at

grassroots. The energy cost needs to be brought down in line with advanced world where governments, lawmakers and consumer right protection groups ensure that energy bills stay between 2.5 % to 3.5 % of average monthly incomes. It will end the need for giving billions of rupees subsidy to energy sector, which should be used for consumer welfare. At the national level, government needs to cut oil imports by 60 % to bolster foreign reserves, end price increase to masses due to resultant inflation and increase role of state in public welfare. In the broader sense, an energy mix cutting dependence on imported oil and gas should serve national and public interests in the long run.

Hydel, coal and renewable should form basis of country’s future energy plans. Pakistan needs to adopt wind and rooftop solar energy on war footings to ease quality of life and energy poverty at grassroots. It should shift 15 million households or 50 percent of domestic sector to renewables in next six months and remaining 50 % in next two years.

The same could be applied to SMEs, industries and state owned enterprises. Western Railways used to generate its own electricity before partition. Government should encourage use of coal, renewables and civil nuclear energy to generate cheap energy. It will help fight corruption, reduce line losses, maintenance cost and will help bring down prices by 60 %. Water storage be expanded and improved but they should be used only for agriculture purposes. The reform of railways and enmass introduction of metro railway system can help cut fuel imports, fight poverty and improve public welfare. Therefore, energy policy and public welfare are more political issues than lack of funds, expertise and technology.

etter late than never, Presi dent Obama has moved to establish more rigorous standards for the targeted killings of Americans and foreigners alike away from a battlefield. The need for what he called “strong oversight of all lethal action” was one theme of the president’s address Thursday at National Defence University.

Another, equally overdue, was his renewed determination to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay and expedite the repatriation of dozens of inmates who have languished there despite being cleared for release.

Beyond these changes in policy, Obama’s speech offered tantalizing signals that the president is contemplating a downsizing of what many — but not Obama himself — refer to as the global war on terror. The president warned that “a perpetual war — through drones or special forces or troop deployments — will prove self-defeating and alter our country in troubling ways.” And he said that he would work with Congress to “refine, and ultimately repeal” the post-9/11 Authorization for Use of Military Force that has served as the legal authority for far-flung attacks on suspected terrorists.

All in all, the speech pointed to a major repositioning. In discussing the use of unmanned drones to kill suspected terrorists — a policy that has cost roughly 3,000 lives in Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia — Obama didn’t acknowledge that he was changing the rules. But he mentioned that he had signed a document on Wednesday that would allow targeted killings only if a suspect posed a “continuing, imminent threat to Americans” and could not otherwise be captured.

There also would have to be “near certainty” that civilians wouldn’t be killed. Finally, and perhaps most important, Obama said that “the high threshold that we have set for taking lethal action applies to all potential terrorist targets, regardless of whether or not they are American citizens.”

On Guantanamo, Obama said that he would lift an executive branch hold on the repatriation of 59 prisoners from Yemen and indicated that he would press Congress anew to lift other restrictions that have made it impossible to close the facility. He also hinted that he might revisit the decision by an administration task force that more than 40 inmates could be neither put on trial nor released, consigning them to the sort of indefinite detention that Obama has described as “contrary to who we are.” Drones have undermined American diplomacy, and Guantanamo haunts America’s global standing today in part because Obama for too long has shied away from a confrontation with Congress over what has become an emblem of overreaction and abuse. His newly muscular language is welcome; even better would be comparably strong action.

— Los Angeles Times

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Appropriate move

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nce again, in a timely and highly appropriate move, the Ministry of Economy has put a freeze on food prices until the end of Ramadan. The decision came into effect on Thursday.

Retailers have been instructed in no uncertain terms to adhere to the regulations, even if the cost of raw materials or demand undergo a change during this period. This will effectively put an end to the unethical and exploitative tendency of retailers to take advantage of consumers, an unfortunate trend in the past, as the demand for food items surges during Ramadan.

While many retailers have committed to be a part of the initiative, others also need to step up and be a part of this worthy cause.

The authorities are also looking to expand the list of items to be covered by the price cap, which presently includes about 1,600 products. The price cap not only bolsters the baseline comfort of consumers in terms of making staple food products and household items more affordable, the target reduction figure — a decrease in price by 30 per cent — translates into a significant drop for them, particularly for those who have low or medium income. — Gulf News

You can’t tell a book by its cover.

—Proverb

Karzai again upping the ante NATO troops makes him more unpopular. In his futile to become popular, he ofAsif Haroon Raja bid ten loses temper and in frusEmail: asifharoon7751@yahoo.com tration directs US military commander to speed up handing over of security duties and he US sole worry is to en the charge of Bagram prison to sure safe and smooth with ANA. In return he earns the disdrawal of US-NATO troops. pleasure of Washington.

At the same time it wishes to enThe ISAF has become nervous sure peaceful transition of power in and self-protective after growing Afghanistan and to leave behind incidents of green-over-blue atstable Afghanistan under a US tacks by ANSF. Karzai lays the friendly regime. Another aspect blame on Pakistan for all his woes. which is yet to be decided is the size The wisest of all India finds itself of residuary force that will be left utterly out of job in the endgame behind after 2014. Kabul govern- and can do little to lessen the pains ment has yet not given blanket dip- of US. While Pak-US relations lomatic immunity to the residuary that had hit rock bottom are graduforce. ally improving, Pak-Afghan and Karzai’s growing disenchant- Pak-India relations are getting ment against his patron and the strained. Much that it wanted to, Taliban not wanting presence of the US is no more in a position to foreign troops after 2014 are the negotiate from position of two reasons behind this indecision. strength.

For peaceful transition, one of the Since all the stakeholders are foremost requirements for the US, unable to help the US, Pakistan’s Afghanistan and Pakistan is to sink assistance has become imperative. all their differences and get on one The US no more relies on Kabul page. The other is that the Taliban or New Delhi’s counsels but has agree to open political office in started to lean heavily on Pakistan Doha. Third is ceasefire and re- military to show a way out. The newal of process of dialogue dis- bottom line is that it is only Pakirupted in March 2012 so that mu- stan which is capable of rendering tually acceptable settlement can be help to facilitate the movement of reached. the Taliban representatives to meet The ground situation is that the the Afghan government officials in Taliban have still not given any in- Saudi Arabia and to sit down with dication to resume talks. None of the American diplomats in Qatar the stakeholders and voluntary in the coming weeks and months. peacemakers has been able to con- Pakistan is judged as the only vince the Taliban to open a politi- country that can help in brokering cal office in Doha. Taliban are con- a peace deal and in ensuring safe tinuing to attack foreign troops and exit of ISAF troops and heavy bagAfghan national security forces gage. The US knows that the ISI (ANSF) and striking sensitive tar- has established good contacts with gets all over the country. Karzai is both Pashtun and non-Pashtun Afnot happy with US since it suspects ghan camps and hence has an edge that he is being ignored and Paki- over others. stan is trusted. Northern Alliance Brussels meeting attended by leaders see him with suspicion af- President Karzai, Gen Kayani and ter he started making frantic efforts Pakistan’s Secretary Jalil Abbas to woo Mullah Omar and his Shura was organized by US Secretary of members. The people of Afghani- State John Kerry last month to restan and Taliban rightly see him as move lingering misgivings bean American tout. tween Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The US too is not pleased with The meeting however couldn’t Karzai since he could neither bring produce anything fruitful because any improvement in governance, of non-cooperative attitude of nor in controlling corruption or in Karzai. Although Karzai is no cultivating Taliban. Continuing ci- more in good books of Washingvilian casualties as a result of drone ton, it cannot find his suitable reand air attacks and night raids by placement in this critical

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timeframe wherein nothing is going in favor of US and has therefore to reluctantly carry this baggage for some more time.

The peace process roadmap proposed a “five phased process”.

The first phase which started in March 2012 and ended in September last focused on securing partnership of Pakistan and forming a core team of Pakistan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and UK to woo Taliban and bring them to the negotiating table. Not much has been achieved.

The second phase from September to March 2013 was to be utilized on CBMs to offer incentives to Taliban and induce them to hold formal negotiations with Karzai government in Riyadh. No progress could be made. The third phase during second half of 2013 is aimed at securing ceasefire.

Fourth phase in the first half of 2014 envisage consolidation of agreements reached, whereupon Pakistan is to “monitor and prevent” any breach of the agreements. Phase five visualizes participation of regional and international community to endow with “long-term security” of Afghanistan. The underlying idea of the plan seems to be to sanctify the long-term US military presence in Afghanistan.

While the Taliban may agree to break off ties with al-Qaeda and not allow foreign non-state actors to misuse Afghan soil against others, they will neither agree to accept US formulated constitution nor prolonged stay of residuary force. They would prefer to negotiate with US than with Afghan regime principally responsible for the bloodbath of Pashtuns and destruction of Afghanistan.

The US may agree to move out lock stock and barrel if a face saving settlement is reached, otherwise it will be forced by circumstances to leave behind 10,000 to 12000 residual forces till Afghanistan becomes stable.

Finding that the course of events have started to favor Pakistan, India governed by its Kautiliyan instincts gave few lessons to Kabul to put Pakistan on the defensive and that too at a time when it was fully engrossed in general elections. On 31 April

2013, Afghan policemen trashed and manhandled Pak Khassadar persons on duty at Torkham border and in protest Pakistan closed the border. After receiving apology from Kabul, the border was reopened on 01 May. On May 2, two Pak soldiers were injured when their Gursal post located in Mehmand Agency came under unprovoked fire from across the border.

When protest was launched, Kabul countered by laying the blame on Pakistan. Afghan troops once again started firing on Gursal post on May 6 in which six Frontier Constabulary soldiers got injured. Kabul justified the act by claiming that the post constructed by Pak military in 2002 was theirs. Border was purposefully heated up to tense the atmosphere. Instead of steadying relations, Kabul further strained Afghan-Pakistan relations by making false allegations that Pak troops had crossed into Afghan territory and established a post at Ghoshta district in Nangahar area.

Karzai upped the ante by touching upon the settled and dead issue by stating that Durand Line needed to be redrawn. He spoke the Indian language of expansionism. He then urged the Taliban to stop attacking Afghan targets and to turn their weapons against Pakistan. He also stated that Pakistan is the root cause of instability in Afghanistan.

These hostile acts and irresponsible statements occurred at this delicate stage when all out combined efforts should have been focused on working together in a spirit of cooperation to culminate the 13 year war and to make the region peaceful. It gives an insight to what is cooking in Kabul against Pakistan and who is tutoring Karzai. Karzai’s acknowledged that he has been receiving secret funds from CIA. It is quite understood that these funds were used and are still being used to pay terrorists and to employ them for covert war against Pakistan.

Fazlullah group based in safe haven of Kunar is funded to carryout terrorism in Pakistan.

—The writer is a retired Brig and a defence and security analyst.

Views From Abroad

Covert Commander-in-Chief David Ignatius

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atching President Obama’s compelling speech on counter-terrorism policy Thursday, one couldn’t help wondering what he might accomplish if he could apply the same intellectual focus and intensity to governing the nation that he has shown as covert commander in chief. By announcing new restraints on the use of armed drones for targeted killing and pushing again for the closure of the Guantanamo prison, Obama signalled more strongly than ever that he means to turn the page of American history that began on Sept. 11, 2001. “This war, like all wars, must end,” he said in the signature line of the speech. He said he wants to amend or repeal the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, the catch-all legal justification for the global war on terror. He wants to take America off its permanent war footing so that presidents have to justify future use of force prudently, on a case-by-case basis.

Stating this new reality required intellectual clarity, and it took guts, too. It’s a paradox that this president, with such limited manage-

ment and political experience, has been so sure-footed in the realm of secret warfare — knowing when to step it up, as he did with drone strikes and the May 2011 raid that killed Osama bin Laden, and knowing when to step it down, as he now proposes to do. An unscripted Obama moment came when a heckler interrupted his review of the nation’s most sensitive intelligence problems. The president didn’t lose a step — defending not just the heckler’s right to speak but much of her critique of how America’s policies are unintentionally damaging the country.

It bothers Obama that he inherited a red-hot rhetorical war on terror from George W. Bush, one framed on loose rules and policy assumptions about a long (i.e., endless) war. He’s taken down the rhetoric and tightened the rules — wise on both fronts. Some policies are still fuzzy. The president says he wants to move away from “signature” drone strikes and target only those who pose a “continuing and imminent threat” to Americans, but not yet and not everywhere. He knows that “imminent” doesn’t mean instantaneous, and to protect Americans, he may take out a bomber thousands of miles away and months in advance. For that

unflinching recognition, he has the country’s thanks.

Many details are still to come: In the Afghan theatre (which includes the tribal areas of Pakistan), he plans to use drones aggressively until US combat forces leave in 2014. What does Pakistan say about this? The president wants to move drones from the CIA’s deniable arsenal to the military’s more transparent framework, but he doesn’t explain how he’ll do that. He wants more oversight of targeted killings, but he has constitutional and practical objections to either a special court or an executive review panel. He wants to close the embarrassment of Guantanamo, but he can’t unless some members of Congress join him in showing some backbone.

Not a perfect plan for transition, but what the nation saw Thursday was a president who has taken to heart the warning he quoted from James Madison that “no nation could preserve its freedom in the midst of continual warfare.” That wariness of perpetual conflict doesn’t just apply to drones; Obama hasn’t yet seen a plan for US military force in Syria that he thinks will work, so he’s refusing to sign off on one. Obama understands the lonely predicament of leadership since 9/11: Nobody wants to chal-

lenge a presidential decision at the time it’s made, but everybody wants to second-guess. He’s right that both sides of the equation must change.

In his wily role as covert commander in chief, Obama seems to have internalised the admonition of Bob Gates, his deeply cynical defence secretary during the first term. Gates cautioned that “every day, someone, somewhere in the federal government, is screwing something up, and it could come back to bite the White House.” In running America’s secret wars, a Gatesian Obama tightened loose military and intelligence rules — but also decided to attack bin Laden knowing the 15 ways that disaster could strike.

The challenge for Obama, now that he has begun to “right-size” America’s counter-terrorism policies to the actual threats, is to apply a similar rigor and toughness — combined with frank, public debate — to the larger problems of governing America. Watching Obama on Thursday, one sensed that he still has the smarts and savvy to lead the country out of its dysfunctional mess, which is surely why the country re-elected him: So get on with it!

— Courtesy: The Washington Post

Newspaper bloomers..!

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nce upon a time we scouted the newspapers for those little mistakes that showed their editors were human, today the net is full of them, but some newspapers with sub-editors who really don’t know the language too well, still have their share of howlers and bloomers: I remember reading a report quoting Vengsarkar the chief of selectors saying that “Rahul is an experienced player, so is Sachin. If something happens to Dravid, God forbid Sachin can lead.”

I laughed out loud realizing

that what poor Vengsarkar meant was that god forbid anything should happen to Rahul and not ‘god forbid’ Sachin should lead! Newspapers are having more of such bloomers in their pages: In Mumbai a local newspaper carried a report: A young wife while drawing water from a well, slipped and fell. Cries of alarm brought a lorry driver who was passing by.

He immediately ‘drove’ into the well and rescued her!Poor housewife! From an All India Tourist Guide: About 160 kilometres from Calcutta is Santi Niketan which attracts a lot of scholars from all over the world. It is good to see classical Indian dancing and samples of other performing ‘rats’!

Some years ago the government did exchange a bunch of terrorists for a plane load of passengers at Kandahar, but I never realized it

was a national habit till I read a news item in the Times which read, ‘the police said that a case of murder cum dacoity had been registered and efforts were on to ‘trade’ the suspects.’

I was a little perturbed till I was told later by the kind editor, that the police had still not been able to ‘trace’ the dacoits!

And from Goa from where I’ve just returned a report in the Navhind Times: ‘The dead body of a hotel worker was found ‘living’ near the Church square!’ Locals in Goa boast about miracles that have happened in this once colony of Portugal, but this I’m sure must have excited a lot of pilgrims till the paper corrected the mistake the next day: Sorry readers, the body was quite dead and only ‘lying’ in the square!

And in the south came this

news item from a very established newspaper that had many women activists up in arms till the conservative editor in proper dhoti and kurta mentioned even ‘we make mistakes! ’ The item appearing in the Classifieds section innocently said, ‘Wanted science graduates for selling engineering hardware and stenographers!’

Like I said English is a hard to please mistress and we slaves who have decided to woo, use and sell her wares have to be careful all the time.

I’d like to end with one that seems strangely too close to the truth for comfort: ‘The Maharashtra government said that sugar will be supplied on a ‘fist’ come first basis! Sounds violent, what? Mistake or truth?

—Email:bobsbanter@gmail.com

Voice of the People Local Govt System & PTI KAMRAN AHMAD

A

fter the 18th amendment in 1973 Constitution Local govt system is now a provincial matter. Ac cording to Article 140-A of Constitution of Pakistan each province shall by law, establish Local Govt system and devolve political, administrative and financial responsibilities to elected representatives of local Govt. In the past all elections for local bodies were held under military rule on different local govt models. After the 11,May general election Pakistan Tehreek Insaf has emerge as largest political party in KPK province and is in position to form Govt in KPK province . It was the election slogan and commitment of PTI that it will hold local govt election and implement its Rural Governance vision for empowering the community. Public funds shall be in the hands of people and spent by the people.

PTI’s political will is to decentralize the powers at village level. Unfortunately after coming in power our political elite, members of assemblies emphasis’s on centralized approach Just for taking development funds for their constituencies but now we hope that PTI Govt in KPK will hold the election of local govt to strengthening democratic practices at grass root level as early as possible.

—Abbottabad

Countering terrorism HIBA NAEEM Pakistan’s unchecked economic policies have brought wealth disparity, unemployment and market failure, to surface. However it is unlikely that any of these economic fiasco’s can be handled without countering terrorism.

While terrorism has much social effects, its long-term drawbacks continue to add to political instability and thus lack of any inflow of investment in Pakistan.

Therefore, no matter what policies the new government makes, it cannot achieve its objectives unless it cogitates over religious extremism or terrorism it brews.

—Via email

Fixing cricket ASMA SHABBIR The credibility of the Indian Premier League and, more importantly, of cricket itself is once again at stake following recent revelations that the shockwaves of spotfixing have hit the lucrative T20 league. The arrest of four Indian cricketers including one who has played for his country at the highest level has proved suspicions that even with all its glamour, star cricketers and truck loads of cash, something isn’t right with the IPL. India’s Test pacer S Sreesanth, Ankeet Chavan and Ajit Chandila, who were all part of the Rajasthan Royals – an under-spending yet over-achieving IPL franchise – were nabbed by Delhi police, along with several bookies, for alleged spot-fixing. It was later revealed that one of those bookies – Amit Singh – was also a former Royals’ player. There are speculations that star Australian Test pacer Shaun Tait – another Royals player – was also involved.

India is the commercial hub of world cricket holding the lion’s share of both legal and illegal money that is being pumped into the sport. That is primarily the reason why the International Cricket Council (ICC) has mostly looked the other way whenever a finger of suspicion was pointed at India in the past. Things will have to change. Corrupt cricketers, from anywhere – even India – should be banned and jailed just like the disgraced Pakistani trio of Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Asif. Any double standards must not be tolerated. Cricket has to go all out in its war against corruption. Otherwise its future is doomed.

—Karachi

eration and transmission system. It is as much a ‘software’ issue, in the sense that realigning incentives, bringing about transparency and choking off spaces for discretionary decision-making in the power bureaucracy are equally a part of the job. A comprehensive approach is required at this point, one which aims to improve the finances of the power bureaucracy through improving recoveries and improving transparency so that we know where the money is going and where the electricity is being delivered.

If after 100 days in office, Mr Sharif should find himself chairing a meeting attended by the MD, PSO and the secretaries of finance, petroleum, water and power along with their respective ministers — and the whole objective of the meeting is to arrange money for PSO to pay for its next shipment of furnace oil — he should understand that he is on the road to breaking his campaign promise to eliminate loadshedding in two years. We don’t need more ‘energy summits’ nor do we need any more ad hoc announcements of energy conservation measures that everybody knows are not going to be fulfilled.

What we need is fundamental reform, and if the new government starts delivering on that immediately, they might win more support —Karachi

The fact of the matter is that ECP performance has been really bad throughout the country as complaints with documentary evidence are still pouring in and being shown on electronic media. Will the ECP explain why voters were allowed to carry mobile with them when it was banned? It is very unfortunate we become wiser after each incident and not pre-empt to plug the loop holes in time. You just needed to place two LEA persons inside the polling station to ensure smooth functioning of the polling instead of making them stand on the road doing nothing. It is not routine protest against the rigging but it is a protest that voters were denied their right of voting.

They all had gathered for a change and get rid of dynastic politics but the institutions remained aloof to pave way for looters.

All the Returning officers who failed to conduct free and fair elections along with the polling staff should be punished properly so that next elections may be held without rigging. The polling staff that was absent on 11 May should also be brought to justice. The damage has been done that can not be un done.

Let us now forget the differences and jointly work for the progress of the country. Much awaited change has come that there is no change —Karachi

Pakistan-India One step forward N N peace talks IDA

HUMAN KHAN

We in Pakistan at all levels, whether official or unofficial, keep saying that India does not act in response to our talks offer on Kashmir. India for long has been more than eager to talk to Pakistan on all matters of mutual interests sans Kashmir. It is only now after many decades and a number of unnecessary armed conflicts between these two states that we see a shift and a certain level of suppleness in the Indian attitude. It would seem prudent to take advantage of this change and not squander our energies in unnecessary resistance.

I am not suggesting that we set out for talks with our guard down and offer them Kashmir on a plate. What I am suggesting is that the opportunity of open discussions on this core issue should not be neglected, specially when both nuclear-armed states sense that there may be no winners in any future conflict between them.

A major responsibility could be taken up by the audio-visual media to bring some level-headed and unprejudiced individuals at live discussion forums to inform the uninformed about the realities which face Pakistan. A major role will have to be played by the Kashmiris in deciding their own fate.

The choice of amalgamation with Pakistan, India or none should rest with the people of Kashmir. We have seen the impotency of the UN resolutions and the way these are attuned to suit the powerful. Therefore, the notion of UN resolutions’ implemenASMA SHABBIR tation on Kashmir needs a fresh It should now be sufficiently clear evaluation. Please think about for that the outcome of the election has Kashmiris. hinged, more than anything else, on —Karachi the power crisis. More than the handouts of income-support programmes, it has been electricity and gas shortages that have played a decisive part in the elecMUKHTAR BUTT toral defeat of the PPP. The growing difficulties that Pakistan is having in providing electricity to the Re-polling in NA-250 started on 19 common man, and in meeting its May with heavy security arrangerequirements of primary energy, are ments never undertaken in the hisbecoming a key test for govern- tory of Pakistan.. 36 law enforcers ments; it is an issue perhaps more are deployed to guard each polling fundamental than anything else station, these extra security meabecause it touches so intensely and sures must have surprised every so universally on the lives of so body because when they were many. Taking this task lightly, and needed were missing. it can be argued that the PPP-led All parties were crying and regovernment did indeed take its re- questing ECP to deploy personnel of sponsibilities in this area lightly, law enforcement agencies inside the would be a serious mistake. polling stations on 11 May but no For the incoming government body bothered and the matter was of Nawaz Sharif, the real test lies taken lightly by deploying 4 to 5 in this area. The job ahead for the LEA personnel who acted as silent PML-N is not an easy one. What spectators and kept quiet while the we call the power crisis is in fact a rigging was going on. Surprisingly complex, multidimensional crisis when voters approached them to of governance and fiscal affairs. It stop rigging of votes the answer was is technical in nature only to the ex- the request should be routed through tent that improving powerhouse Returning Officer. What is the wisefficiencies and bringing down line dom now of over employment of losses can help wring a few more LEA when MQM and other parties megawatts out of the outdated gen- have boycotted the re-polling.

Dealing with power crisis

Re-polling NA-250

AHEM

Recent election, as I see, is ray of hope. After a very long time, we saw people from all walks of life, many taking their children with them, at polling stations eager to participate in a poll. Never in the history of Pakistan have women come out and voted in such a big number. The Election Commission projected that more than 60 percent of the nation’s 86 million voters cast ballots for national and provincial assemblies, a number that, if confirmed, would represent the highest turnout since 1970.

Credit goes to PTI and ECP PTI was motivation for youth in particular, the charisma for women and the personality for educated class of society. Khan’s slogan of change and Naya Pakistan was not a cliché and the reason that he was not tested like others boosted the turn out. Secondly credit goes to ECP. Efforts in terms of electoral rolls, verified voters list and separate vote counting for women are gifts to Nation in deed.

ECP in collaboration with NADRA deserves applaud.

I never mean that there is no room left for further improvement rather its preliminary steps taken towards transparent elections. The result shows a positive change in urban areas but it’s the old trend in our rural areas that women and children do what they are ordered by their men.

Although Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has tried to improve process but it seemed that government machinery did not stand with ECP. Many incidents of rigging were reported by media.

Voters of KPK seemed to be more passionate about change. I would call them traditional in a sense that since 90s election, each time they have voted for new parties. So a word of caution for IK that if you didn’t work for their problems they are not going to vote for you again.

To put in the nutshell, there should be electronic system of election in Pakistan. Khan may not have won, but he has made his position, and his party will indeed prove to be the strongest opposition the country has ever seen. Furthermore, hard steps must be taken against the offenders and those involved in rigging. Last but not the least, all the main stream parties must work in Balochistan as this way we would be able to bring balochis’ into the policy making.

—Via email

READERS are requested to type their letters legibly with double spacing and only on one side of the paper.

—Editor Email:editorial@pakobserver.net

French soldier

What stars foretell about coming days!

From Page 1 Vigipirate anti-terrorist surveillance plan when he was approached from behind around 1800 p.m. and stabbed in the neck with a knife or a box-cutter.

Hollande, in the Ethiopian city of Addis Ababa, commented on the stabbing to say that the man was still on the run and police were exploring all leads.

“We still don’t know the exact circumstances of the attack or the identity of the attacker, but we are exploring all options,” Hollande told journalists.

Pierre-Andre Peyvel, police prefect for the Hauts-deSeine area, said the soldier had lost a considerable amount of blood but would survive, and was being treated in a nearby military hospital.

“The wound appears to be quite serious, but it’s not life-threatening,” he told iTele news television.

Peyvel said the man was able to flee into a crowded shopping area in the La Defense business neighborhood before the two other soldiers, who were walking in front of him, were able to react.French daily Le Parisien cited a police source as saying the suspected attacker was a bearded man of North African origin about 30 years old, and was wearing an Arab-style garment under his jacket.—AP

NP chief Dr Malik From Page 1 formation of the new provincial government.

Dr Baloch is also in the race to become the new chief minister of Balochistan.

Baloch had further revealed that his party had tried to form an electoral alliance with Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s Balochistan National PartyMengal but it couldn’t materialise. Mengal has rejected the election results while doubting the whole electoral process which, he alleges, was fixed by the ‘establishment’.

Kayani From Page 1 over withdrawal of Nato forces from Afghanistan was also discussed.

General Dunford stated that Pakistan’s role in the Afghan reconciliation process was imperative.

Pakistan and Afghanistan have witnessed strained relations in recent months due to a number of crossborder attacks from both sides of the Durand line.

The incidents even aroused the curiosity of the Taliban who termed the clashes as a “conspiracy”.

The meeting also comes against the backdrop of ISAF and US military equipment being withdrawn through Pakistan.

The two discussed issues related to border coordination along the PakistanAfghanistan border.

kistan Army. He is the only Pakistani Prime Minister to have eased out/side-lined four Pak Army Chiefs from office. However, this time around he can be expected to be more patient and wiser in dealing with the Pakistan Army Generals. According to some reliable sources in PML-N, Mian Nawaz Sharif has designated special authority to his younger brother Mian Shahbaz Sharif to deal with military-related issues. During their meeting, Shahbaz Sharif discussed at length all concerned issues with Kayani while Chief of the Army Staff briefed Nawaz on the issues of law and order, war on terror, important portfolios and so on.

Prior to imposition of marshal law in 1999, this task of dealing with the military top brass was apparently tackled

by Nawaz’s father late Mian Muhammad Sharif who played significant role many LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi opens Africa show at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce times in the relation between and Industry with High Commissioner of Kenya and Dean of African countries Ms. Mishi. Ambassadors of Egypt and former military chief Pervez Algeria are also seen in the picture.

JC recommends extension for 9 Addl Judges From Page 1 of Pakistan Bar Council and Attorney General.

The JC recommended for extension in service of 6 additional judges of Sindh High Court (SHC) and 3 additional judges of LHC. During the meeting name of Justice Habib ur Rehman of SHC was dropped.

One year extension in service was recommended in respect of the judges including Justice Aziz ur Rehman, Justice Aftab Ahmad, Justice Riazat Ali, Justice Salah ud Panore, Justice Farooq Ali Channa and Justice Muhammad Farooq Shah from SHC and justice Qaisar Rashid, Justice Waqar Ahmad Saith and Justice Nasir Hussain of PHC. The judges of PHC who were recommended to be regularized include justice Asad Ullah Chamkani, justice Rooh ul Amin, justice Mrs Irshad Qaisar and Justice Shah Jahan Akhunzada.—Online

Two quizzed over mid-air ‘fight’ From Page 1 crew, the sources said. The police continued the investigation with the two arrested air travelers.

Later, the aircraft departed for its destination (Manchester). According to one of the passengers, the aircraft’s cabin crew said two men had repeatedly tried to get into the cockpit.

Umari Nauman told Sky News: “The cabin crew informed us that basically they tried to come into the cockpit a few times and because they had been asked not to do that they got into a bit of an argument with the crew and made a few threats.” She said all the passengers were ordered to leave their possessions on board before leaving the plane.

It is believed a passenger on the flight allegedly threatened to blow up the plane after other passengers tried to intervene in a row he was embroiled in. Murtaza Ali Shah, a journalist, said he had spoken to a friend on board the plane, Fakhir Iqbal, a politi-

cal activist, who was sitting behind the man who made the threat.

Mr Shah said his friend told him: “Two guys started a row with a girl and lots of other people. “Some people tried to calm them and asked them not to be rowdy and abusive.

“Fakhir told them to calm down. “They said, ‘Don’t bloody speak to us or we will blow up the plane’. “The crew came and spoke to them and they were openly threatening the staff. “Fakhir went to other crew members and told them they were making threats.”

The RAF jet was scrambled following around 10 minutes before the plane, which departed from Lahore, was due to land in Manchester at 2pm. Superintendent Darrin Tomkins of Essex Police said officers were notified at 1.20pm on Friday of threats made to the safety of passengers aboard the Boeing 777.—Online

Khosa pins hopes on new govts Earlier, he was accorded a warm welcome by Interim Chief Minister Balochistan Nawab Ghous Bakhsh Barozai, former speaker Balochistan Assembly Mir Zahoor Hussain Khoso, Sardar Abdul Hamid Khoso, MPA-elect Mir Izhar Hussain Khoso, tribal elders and senior officials. Prime Minister Khoso thanked all political parties for taking part in general polls and extending cooperation to the caretaker setup.

He also showed grati-

From Page 1 tude to the civil and military institutions for their tireless efforts to ensure holding of peaceful elections.

“I also salute the people of Pakistan who have proved their liking of democracy by casting vote,” he said. The prime minister said the government was cognizant of the people’s sufferings and was also taking all possible measures for their resolution. The country was faced with numerous internal and external

challenges which could only be tackled well through coordinated efforts, he added.

He said while holding the elections, the caretaker government did not set aside the public issues and it immediately released funds to improve power situation in the country. Moreover, the federal government had also banned use of air conditioners at all the government offices to conserve energy and hoped that the new government would take effective steps for its durable solution.

He said the government has brought all health-related departments together under one umbrella to improve coordination among the federal and provincial governments.

Prime Minister Khoso said that by upgrading Sohbatpur city to district level would help the people benefit from its administrative infrastructure to get their issues resolved without delay.—APP

Power load-shedding main hurdle From Page 1 new elected PML-N government. Views were also exchanged over formation of new government in Balochistan. Mir Zafarullah Jamali gave suggestions to the PML-N President in this regard.

Jamali who was accompanied by MNA-elect Chaudhry Shahbaz also felicitated Nawaz Sharif on PML-N’s victory in the May 11, 2013 general elections.

Later, talking to reporters Mir Zafarullah Jamali said that electricity load-shedding was the main issue facing Pakistan at present. He said he discussed with the PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif political issues especially the current situation in Balochistan and Sindh.

He said the issue of Balochistan cannot be resolved by development packages alone rather practical steps are needed to resolve the issues confronted to the people of Balochistan.

17 children, teacher burnt From Page 1 Hasnain, Shafqat and Fahd who were shifted to a local hospital from where they were shifted to Lahore and Kharian hospitals.

A schoolgirl told a private TV news channel that the driver escaped when the vehicle went up in flames.

The authorities later arrested the driver.

An officer said the driver could have saved many lives. “We have been told that he fled from there when the children were crying for help,” the officer said.

A police officer Mohammed Rasheed said seven children were also injured in the explosion on the outskirts of the city of Gujrat.

“This is a very sad incident. According to our information, at least 17 children were burned to death,” he said.

Later in the evening funerals of the lady teacher and the childre were laid to rest in different localities.

The funerals were participated by hundreds of people.

LOSS OF CERTIFICATE I M. Bilal S/O M. Jamil Chaudhry Residence of H # 708, ST # 103, Sector # G-9/4 announce through daily Pakistan Observer that my SSC/HSSC certificate bearing Roll No580718 of the year 2005 issued by FBISE Islamabad has been lost during transit etc. Whoever find it, shall send it to the address given above or call on the No-0300-9766931

PTI nominates From Page 1

Talking to reporters after the meeting, PTI vice-chairman Shah Mehmood Qureshi said the party would play the role of a responsible, effective and vibrant opposition in the National Assembly. He added that the party has decided to field its candidates for all the parliamentary portfolios in the National Assembly.

The former foreign minister further said that PTI MNA-elect from Karachi, Dr Arif Alvi, will represent the Parliamentary Party of PTI. “Ghulam Sarwar Khan will represent the party in Business Advisory Committee of the National Assembly,” he maintained.

He said Imran Khan was in very good health and spirits, adding that he chaired the whole meeting in a very fresh mood. “He is doing fine, but if the first session of the National Assembly is convened on May 28 he will not attend it. As per his doctor’s advice, he will stay in Lahore for some time,” he maintained.

Imran Khan also thanked and appreciated PTI workers and supporters for participating in the protest at the Election Commission of Pakistan in Islamabad on Friday, Qureshi said. ECP should pay heed to PTI’s demands because they would be helpful in by-elections, local government elections and the next general elections, Qureshi added. He said the ECP had issued the notifications of the winning candidates and asked candidates with complaints filed against them those to go the Election Tribunal. “Our demand is that the number of election tribunals should be increased so that the decision of any case couldn’t take more than 120 days as described in the law.”

From Page 1 Musharraf and the PML-N chief. Compared to Nawaz, Shahbaz has had a relatively positive relationship towards the military, including the issue of Musharraf.

Some political pundits in Pakistan believe that Mian Nawaz Sharif will display more maturity and patience while dealing with the military top brass and his earlier statements in regard of brining the army under the control of the federal government may be considered mere political rhetoric. Some circles also believe that the United Sates could prevail on Nawaz Sharif to give General Kayani another extension to facilitate US exit from Afghanistan. However Mian Nawaz Sharif in his statements issued on different occasions clearly hinted that the current army chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani would be replaced by the “senior most” when he retires in November. Giving an interview to Karan Thapar on CNN

IBN’s Devil’s Advocate, Mian Nawaz Sharif said, “I don’t think he (Kayani) will ask any further extension or he will be interested in any further extension. I will go by the book; I will go by the merit. Whosoever is the senior most, will have to occupy this...the next one, the next in line. As for the retirement of Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhary is concerned, the dates of birth of superior court judges are the deciding factors in their retiring days - 62 years for high courts and 65 years for the Supreme Court. Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary was born on Dec 12, 1948 and will turn 65 on Dec 11, 2013, which was his superannuation date.

The Constitution doesn’t provide any scope of extension to the life of the assembly beyond its specified term.

Same is the case with the president, prime minister and chief justice. However, the tenure of the army chief can be extended by the Executive as was done for Kayani.

IPL spot fixing probe

Son-in-law of BCCI chief N Srinivasan arrested M U M B A I —Indian police ance with bookies and a duced in court on Saturday,

Roy added.

Reports in local newspapers said Meiyappan had placed bets on IPL matches through actor Vindu Dara Singh Randhawa, who was taken into custody earlier this week. A statement from India Cements, owners of the Chennai franchise, sought to downplay Meiyappan’s role within the team.

“Gurunath is only one of the members (honorary) of the management team of Chennai Super Kings. India Cements follows zero tolerance policy and if anyone is proved guilty, strict action will be taken immediately,” the statement said.

Meiyappan had in the past been referred to as the chief executive of the team and actively participated in players’ auctions as well.

His arrest comes on the heels of similar police action against Test paceman Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two of his Rajasthan Royals teammates as part of a probe into the spot-fixing scandal which has caused outrage among fans in the cricket-mad nation.

The trio, who deny any wrongdoing, are accused of deliberately bowling badly in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars after striking deals with bookies. The Chennai Super Kings, led by India skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni, have made it to the MUMBAI: Gurunath Meiyappan son-in-law of BCCI Chief final of this year’s tournaN Srinivasan is escorted after being arrested by Police. ment.—Agencies have arrested the son-in-law of the country’s cricket chief as part of a widening probe into allegations of spot-fixing in the Indian Premier League. Gurunath Meiyappan, part of the management team of Chennai Super Kings, was arrested by police in Mumbai late Friday for betting on matches in conniv-

Bollywood actor who is already under arrest.

“We interrogated him and based on the information we have, we found his involvement in the offence.

We have placed him under arrest,” Himanshu Roy, joint commissioner of police, told reporters. Meiyappan, who is the son-in-law of board chief N Srinivasan, will be pro-

NZ double rocks England L EEDS —New Zealand took two wickets in as many balls to reduce England to 67 for three at lunch on the second day of the second Test in Leeds on Saturday.

England, after the early loss of Nick Compton, made largely untroubled progress during a secondwicket partnership of 56 between captain Alastair Cook (34) and Jonathan Trott (28) after the hosts had been 11 for one.

But with their score on 67, they saw Trott, driving well away from his body, caught behind by New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum off left-arm quick Neil Wagner for 28.

And next ball left-hander Cook, whose 34 featured six fours, flat-footedly edged recalled seamer Doug Bracewell to third slip Dean Brownlie.

Both Ian Bell and Joe Root, in his first Test on his Yorkshire home ground, were nought not out at

lunch. Earlier, Cook won the toss and batted first with the sunny blue skies overhead providing seemingly ideal conditions to make first use of a good pitch and fast outfield following Friday’s total washout.

Tim Southee, who starred with 10 wickets in the midst of a crushing 170-run defeat in the first of this two-Test series at Lord’s last week, struck in Saturday’s fourth over. The seamer had opener Nick Compton, off a static halfdrive, excellently caught head-high by Brownlie for one. By recalling Bracewell, after Bruce Martin suffered a calf injury at Lord’s and his fellow left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori was not demed fit enough for a return to Test duty after nearly a year out with fitness problems, the tourists were left with a four-man seam attack. New Zealand also brought in

batsman Martin Guptill after wicket-keeper BJ Watling was ruled out with a knee injury sustained at Lord’s.

McCullum, who deputised behind the stumps during the first Test, donned the gloves again having given up fulltime keeping in Tests in 2010 because of knee and back problems.—AFP

ISLAMABAD: Athletes taking part in 800 during ‘45th National Athletics Championship’ at Sport Complex.

Kim joins 2 for LPGA lead in rainy Bahamas PARADISE ISLAND, Bahamas —Mindy Kim birdied her last hole Saturday morning to join the leaders after one strange round of the Bahamas LPGA Classic.

The tournament is being playing over 12 holes for three rounds because of severe flooding at the Ocean Club earlier in the week. Even with a short course, the first round took two days to complete because of a three-hour delay Friday with lightning in the area.

Kim finished off a bogeyfree round of 6-under 39 with a birdie on the par-4 eighth, which serves as the closing hole. She joined Heather Bowie Young and Silvia Cavalleri in the lead. They finished the opening round Friday. The plan is to complete three 12-hole rounds to reach 36 holes, the minimum to make this inaugural event official.—AP

Badminton: China, S.Korea in Sudirman Cup final K UALA L UMPUR —Eight-

England 1st innings: Cook c Brownlie ............ 34 Compton b Southee ........ 1 Trott b Wagner .............. 28 Bell b Williamson .......... 30 JE Root not out ............. 84 JM Bairstow not out ..... 31 Extras: (b 5, lb 2, w 3, nb 1)11 Total: (4 wickets) ....... 2 1 9 Fall of wickets: 1-11, 2-67, 3-67, 4-146 Bowling ............ O-M-R-W TA Boult ............. 15-3-33-0 TG Southee ........ 17-5-44-1 N Wagner ........ 15.2-4-40-1 DAJ Bracewell ... 14-3-56-1 KS Williamson ..... 7-0-39-1

HEADINGLEY: Brendon McCullum takes the edge to get rid of Ian Bell during England vs New Zealand 2nd Investec Test on Saturday.

time champions China reached their 10th consecutive Sudirman Cup badminton final on Saturday, seeing off Denmark in Kuala Lumpur and setting up a clash for the title with South Korea. Threetime champs South Korea reached their seventh Cup final when they defeated a spirited Thailand 3-1 in the other semi-final earlier in the day.

Sunday’s final will be the fourth time between the two countries. South Korea beat China in 2003 but lost in 1997 and 2009, but China have dominated the Sudirman Cup over the past decade.

They have shown some vulnerability this week, however, surviving an earlier scare in the quarter-finals when Indonesia dragged them to the limit.

On Saturday, world and Olympic champions Cai Yun and Fu Haifeng of China fell 16-21, 17-21 to Denmark’s world number-one pair Carsten Mogensen and Mathias Boe in men’s doubles.

“They (Cai and Fu) have beaten them in many big tournaments, including the Olympic final a year ago. It was just not their day,” said China coach Li Yongbo. But China made the final thanks to a straightforward victory by mixed doubles pair Zhang Nan and Zhao Yunlei over Joachim Fischer NielsenChristinna Pedersen 21-15, 21-12.

Chen Long also got past Jan O Jorgensen 21-16, 21-16 in men’s singles, and Olympic champion Li Xuerui crushed 19-year-old Line Kjaersfeldt 21-13, 21-9 in 26 minutes. Denmark head coach Lars Uhre said China were just too strong.—AFP

NBP to clash Pak must improve: Misbah KESC in National

DUBLIN—Misbah ul-Haq has sistency. Everyone knows we rain delay of the match, to reach told his Pakistan team they must improve in all three departments ahead of Sunday’s series decider with Ireland. Kevin O’Brien hit a dramatic four off the last ball of the first one-day international on Thursday to deny Pakistan victory and earn Ireland a dramatic tie — the 28th in ODI history.

“Full credit to Ireland.

They needed almost 10 an over for the last 12 overs but they batted well and we know we will have to improve our performance,” said Misbah. In contrast, Ireland got so close to their victory target of 276 in 47 overs that the tie felt like a loss, according to O’Brien, whose unbeaten 84 was his highest score for Ireland since his century masterminded the shock of the 2011 World Cup, when the Irish defeated England in Bangalore.

“To come so close and not get over the line is tough to take but when we have time to reflect I suppose it will be easier to take,” said O’Brien. “Irish cricket is ever improving, we just need to get a bit more con-

are a good team, we just need to put five, six, seven good performances in a row.

“We definitely feel we can win the series. We respect Pakistan, they are a great team but we have nothing to fear hav-

ing come so close here, we know a different bounce of the ball and we come out with a victory and that’s what we will be targeting on Sunday. ”In contrast, Pakistan were trying to take the positives from a game they were always winning until the last ball of the game.

They hit 144 off the last 16 overs, after the fourth and final

Challenge Cup Football final

266 for five with Mohammad Hafeez scoring 122 not out, and would have been confident of defending Ireland’s revised target of 276. In cold conditions, P ESHAWAR —National Bank Paul Stirling got Ireland off to and KESC took berth into the the perfect start with a 102-ball final after recording victories against their respective rivals in the ongoing National Challenge Cup-2013 played at Dring Football Stadium. The final will be played on May 26.

The National Challenge Cup final will witness the new emerging champion of Pakistan. For the past ten days, football fans witnessed exciting encounters among top 16 teams of Pakistan Premier League (PPL) and Pakistan Football Federation century but Mohammad Irfan League (PFFL). got his wicket just five balls later In the first-semi final, both and Hafeez finished with two NBP and Wapda presented for 34, the best bowling of the excellent display in the nail match. Crucially, Irfan dropped biting match witnessed by O’Brien on 19 and that was the capacity crowd present on miss that ensured an exciting this occasion. finish. “Missed catches are NBP registered its place part of the game,” Asad Shafiq in the final after holding said. “We were hoping for a their nerve by taking a solitough encounter.—Agencies tary goal lead in the 23rd minute of the first half through Atiq Ullah.

WAPDA pushed NBP to its limit but men of steel stood to their stance and gave no chance to WAPDA to equalize. In the secondCourt for which hearing will semi-final KESC and PAF lock their horns to get the take place on May 29.

He expressed the hope place in final.

PAF was confident after that this undemocratic step thrashing PACA 4-0 in the would be taken up in forthcoming General Body Meeting quarter-final. The match re(GBM) schedule to be held mained in the balance as both here on May 29. Arif Abbasi, a teams showed their domiseasoned sports administra- nance on the pitch. —APP tor, who remained the President of Pakistan Hockey Federation (PHF) and head of Sindh Olympic Association, was of the view that without the General Body and other stakeholders elections cannot be democratic, fair and transISLAMABAD—Athletics Fedparent.—APP eration of Pakistan (AFP) unanimously elects PML-N Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Shahida Khanam and international athlete Olympian Sadaf Siddiqi as chairperson, secretary and associate secretary of Pakistan Women Athletic Association (PWAA) for the term of four years.

This is decided during participate in IPL should the general council meetalso be concerned; the cred- ing of Athletics Federation ibility of IPL is at stake”, he of Pakistan chaired by AFP added. president Major Gen. (R) “I cannot speculate on Akram Sahi here at Pakistan the chairmanship of the Sports Complex Islamabad.

ICC but I hope that a com- During the meeting the pletely independent chair- house reviews the policy man will be chosen who has about how to promote athhad no recent connections letics in women in country. with any of the Cricket The house holds the Boards”. election of Pakistan “The Woolf Report ap- Women Athletics Associapears to have been put in tion and unanimously cold storage which is unfor- elects Pakistan Muslim tunate. I hope this unfortu- League (PML-N) Senator nate event will be a wake up Nuzhat as chairperson of call for the Board of the ICC. the PWAA while former diIt is not in the interest of rector general of Punjab the game that the Govern- Sports Board Shahida ing Body of Cricket is domi- Khanam elect as secretary, nated by one or two coun- international athlete Olymtries whose self interests pian Sadaf Siddiqi as assoare in conflict with the best ciate secretary and Bushra interest of the game”, he Parveen as treasure respecconcluded. tively. —NNI

PCB Chairman’s election holds no validity: Arif Abbasi KARACHI—Former Chief Executive of Pakistan Cricket Board Arif Ali Khan Abbasi firmly believed that without taking all regional and district associations of the country into confidence, Chairman Zaka Ashraf’s elections holds no validity. Without the support of regional, districts and other stakeholders of PCB, Chairman’s elections hold no validity,” he said in an interview on Saturday.

Incumbent PCB Chairman Zaka Ashraf elected himself as the head of PCB in the elections held in Islamabad just

before the General elections in which none of major regional associations from the country were invited to take part in the elections.

Two former Chairmen of PCB Lt.Gen (Retd) Tauqir Zia and Khalid Mahmood and former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif have already questioned the undemocratic elections and raised serious objections over the process of the elections. Rashid Latif had already filed a petition against the new constitution and against the undemocratic elections of Zaka Ashraf in the Sindh High

ICC directors’ call to decide Sreenivasan’s fate BIPIN DANI OBSERVER CORRESPONDENT M UMBAI —The BCCI president, N. Sreenivasan, who, at the time of going to press has refused to resin from the post, may find himself to be at the mercy of all other Board members in the ICC. “With Sri Lanka’s Thilanga Sumathipala, the ICC found he was operating a bookmaking operation and he was not allowed to continue”, Malcolm Gray, the former ICC president said exclusively from Melborune.

“In the present case (where Sreeni’s son-in-law is arrested) I suspect a lot more would need to be known and it would be up to the ICC directors to make

a judgement”, he added.

Sreenivasan is ambitious to become the first ICC chairman. And so as, Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman.

According to ICC’s another former president Ehsan Mani, Sreeni should immediately step down.

“Mr Srinivasan’s position is untenable. In the interest of the game and IPL he needs to stand aside to ensure that the investigations are absolutely transparent.

Mr Srinivasan is conflicted as President of BCCI at several levels due to his involvement in CSK via India Cement as well as through his son-in-law. As President of BCCI he is ultimately responsible for IPL”, he exclusively said.

“The other Full Members of the ICC whose players

AFP elects new office bearers of PWAA

Stern accountability of national wealth looters: Shahbaz PML-F to join government at centre IRFAN ALIGI

Bar on paying power dues H ANGU—Barring the locals from paying power dues, the grand tribal jirga of Hangu has imposed a fine of Rs 200,000 on those who violate the decision.

The grand tribal jirga of Hangu has decided not to pay electricity dues in an effort to mark protest against the prolonged hours of loadshedding. According to a report, the citizens of Hangu are facing 22 hours of loadshedding while the intense power cuts have also resulted into water shortage.

The next jirga will be held on May 27.—Online

Roadside bomb injures 3 cops DIR—A roadside bomb hit a police van in Upper Dir on Saturday, injuring three security personnel. It was an improvised explosives device blast, according to police. The police mobile was pasting from Sahibabad area of Upper Dir at the time of the explosion.—Online

Infant girl thrown from 6th floor KARACHI—A newly born baby girl was overnight thrown out of a flat located in the city area of Gulistan-e-Jauhar; the infant died on the spot. According to the local people, it seems the child was born a few hours ago.

The cruel parents killed her by tossing her out of their flat at sixth storey of the building. Police, arriving on the scene, kickstarted the investigations; however, no arrests have so far been made.—Online

Funeral prayers of 7 cops held P ESHAWA R —The funeral prayer of seven policemen who were martyred in terrorist attack offered in Matni on Saturday.

Some unidentified miscreants on Friday had ambushed DPO Kohat Dilawar Bangash car resultantly six cops died on the spot and their collective funeral prayer was offered in police line.

Later on, the dead bodies were sent to their ancestral villages for burial. Meanwhile, Amir Afridi funeral prayer was also offered in Peshawar police line who died in target killing attack during search operation and his dead body was sent to his ancestral village for burial.—Online

BEd, MEd exams from June 25

KARACHI—Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN) on Saturday officially invited the Pakistan Muslim League Functional (PMLF) to join the government at centre which was accepted by the PML-F. Further both the parties would sit together in the provincial assembly of Sindh as the opposition parties and would perform as the toughest opposition to the government.

The issues that had wreaked havoc on people of Sindh would also be taken on top of the priority list. This was decid3ed in a meeting between the PMLN leader and Punjab Chief Minister-elect Mian Shahbaz Sharif ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry chairing the meeting of Judicial and PMLF patron-in-chief Pir Commission of Pakistan in Supreme Court.

Pagara at the Raja House in Karachi.

Sharif had arrived in the city at noon on one day visit and had left for Lahore in the early evening hours. Chaudhary Nisar Ali Khan and Senator Pervez Rasheed had accompanied him while Imtiaz Shaikh, Ghous Bux BEIRUT—Syrian government destroy the city house by house.” Assad family rule began as OBSERVER REPORTER Maher and Pirzada Yasir were Rebels are largely sur- peaceful protests but devolved K HYBER forces and the Lebanese guerilla A GENCY —A group Hezbollah launched a rounded in Qusair, a town of into an armed conflict that has Khasadar force (tribal militia) in fierce campaign to seize more 30,000 that has become a strate- killed more than 80,000 people. Khyber Agency have foiled a Assad’s forces are believed rebel territory in the border town gic battleground. Assad’s forces plot after having seized 1750 of Qusair on Saturday, sources on want to take the area to secure a to have seized about two-thirds kilograms of explosives from a both sides of the conflict said. route between the capital Dam- of Qusair, but the price has been pickup on the main Pak-Afghan Rebels fighting to topple ascus and his stronghold on the high and rebels insist they are Highway near Jamrud. Three President Bashar al-Assad said Mediterranean coast, effectively preventing any further advances. accused individuals have been A fighter from Hezbollah LONDON—British police aradditional tanks and artillery had dividing rebel-held territories in forces in Qusair told Reuters that arrested. been deployed around opposi- the north and south.

The Assistant Political rested a man under anti-terrorism The opposition has been advances were happening at a tion-held territory in Qusair, a Agent Jehangir Azam Wazir laws at BBC headquarters after an Syrian town close to the Leba- fighting back, seeing it as criti- very slow pace. confirmed that explosives have interviewee said security services cal to maintain cross-border sup“We are in the second phase nese border. been seized near Bagyari tried to recruit one of the two men “I’ve never seen a day like ply routes and stop Assad from of our plan of attack but the ad- checkpost by the Khasadar force arrested after a soldier was hacked this since the battle started,” said gaining a victory they fear may vance has been quite slow and during checking. The vehicle to death in a London street.

Michael Adebolajo, 28 and Malek Ammar, an activist speak- give him the upper hand in pro- difficult. The rebels have mined was traveling from Jamrud to ing from the town by Skype. posed U.S.-Russia led peace talks everything, the streets, the Tirah valley when it was seized. Michael Adebowale, 22, are un“The shelling is so violent and next month.Syria’s two-year up- houses. Even the refrigerators are “Three accused who were der armed guard in hospital afheavy. It’s like they’re trying to rising against four decades of mined.”—Reuters shifting the explosives have been ter being shot and arrested by arrested and have been identified police on suspicion of the muras Khalid, Sattar and Mothaar. der of 25-year-old Lee Rigby, a veteran of the Afghan war, on Wednesday.

A man identified by the BBC as Abu Nusaybah told its flagship news program “Newsnight” that intelligence officers had approached Adebolajo six months MAKHACHKALA, RUSSIA— A radicals and federal forces. IsSTAFF REPORTER ago to see if he would work for female suicide bomber blew lamic extremists strive to crean independent Muslim Y ANGON — Authorities in them as an informant. He said ISLAMABAD—Chairman Na- herself up in the southern Rus- ate state, or “emirate,” in the Myanmar’s western Rakhine Adebolajo had refused. tional Accountability Bureau sian region of Dagestan on SatCaucasus and parts of southern state have imposed a two-child BBC reporter Richard urday, injuring at least 18, inAdmiral (retd) Fasih Bokhari, on Saturday submitted his re- cluding two children and five Russia with a sizable Muslim limit for Muslim Rohingya Watson, who conducted the infamilies, a policy that does not terview, said police were waiting sponse in the Supreme Court on police officers, authorities said. population.

In Saturday’s attack, the a petition challenging his ap- The attacker was later identi- bomber detonated an explo- apply to Buddhists in the area pointment as the bureau’s chief, fied as a widow of two Islamic sives-laden belt in the central and comes amid accusations of radicals killed by security ethnic cleansing in the aftermath DawnNews reported. square in the provincial capital, of sectarian violence.

Bokhari’s lawyer Latif forces.

It was the first suicide Makhachkala, Dagestan’s poLocal officials said Saturday Khosa submitted his client’s rebombing in Dagestan since the lice spokesman Vyacheslav that the new measure would be sponse to the apex court.

Gasanov said. applied to two Rakhine townSTAFF REPORTER The reply maintains that the Boston Marathon attacks last The woman was identified ships that border Bangladesh month. said petition was filed by The Tsarnaev brothers sus- as Madina Alieva, 25, who mar- and have the highest Muslim KARACHI—Muttahida Qaumi Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan in orMovement (MQM) said that it der to malign the president and pected of carrying out those ried an Islamist who was killed populations in the state. The was yet pre-mature on behalf of in 2009 and then wedded anblasts are ethnic Chechens who townships, Buthidaung and win political favours for the pesome reports carried by the metitioner during the 2013 general lived in this turbulent Caucasus other Islamic radical who was Maundaw, are about 95 percent dia that the MQM had finally degunned down last year, police Muslim. The unusual order province before moving to the elections. Furthermore, the spokeswoman Fatina makes Myanmar perhaps the cided to joining the government NAB chairman said the petition U.S. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, the el- Ubaidatova said. only country in the world to or sit on the opposition benches. was ineffective, following the der brother who was killed in a The confusion was created by Since 2000, at least two shootout with police days after impose such a restriction on a end of Chaudhry Nisar’s tenure translating some points of the lecdozen women, most of them the April 15 bombings, spent religious group, and is likely to as the opposition leader. He ture that the MQM chief Altaf added that the public had dis- six months in Dagestan in 2012. from the Caucasus, have car- fuel further criticism that Mus- Husain had delivered to members ried out suicide bombings in lims are being discriminated Dagestan remains an epimissed the former opposition Russian cities and aboard against in the Buddhist-major- of the dissolved coordination leader from both his provincial center of violence in the con- trains and planes.—AP committees and other departfrontation between Islamic ity country.—AP and national assembly seats.

Hezbollah, Syria govt forces push for advance in Qusair

UK police arrest man after spy claim in soldier case

Bokhari submits reply over petition against his appointment

Woman suicide bomber injures 18 in Russian region

2-child limit for Muslims in parts of Myanmar

to arrest Nusaybah after the interview had finished on Friday.

The pre-recorded interview was broadcast later that evening.

London’s Metropolitan Police said counter-terrorism officers had arrested a 31-year-old man at 2030 GMT on “suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism”.

A police spokesman said the arrest was made at the BBC building, but did not confirm the man’s identity. He also said the arrest was not directly linked to the soldier’s murder. He would not comment on the BBC interview.

A source close to the investigation told Reuters earlier this week that both men suspected to have attacked the soldier were known to Britain’s MI5 internal security service. However, intelligence officers thought neither man posed a serious threat.—Reuters

MQM has all options to sit on treasury or opposition benches ments, which in particular was an analysis explaining that staying in powers caused the elected representatives to deviate from their assigned responsibility of addressing the people’s grievances.

In this regard, the MQM Information Department in a statement issued Saturday said that the options for the MQM whether to join a party and join the government in coalition or sit on the opposition benches were all open and no final decision in this regard was yet taken.

mier of the country.

He said that both the parties had agreed to take a unanimous stance for resolving the issues and play their roles for the development and progress of the province of Sindh.

Sharif said that the country was facing assorted crises especially the energy crisis and the deteriorated law and order, which the PMLN-led government would address and bring improvement.

He said that it was an irony that Karachi had lights while there were blackouts in Lahore.

The PMLN knew the reasons behind the prolonged load shedding and the PMLN-led government would resolve all such issues as per the aspiration of the people.

He said that the people had elected the PMLN and they would soon see that the country’s resources would be spent for the betterment of the people.

The people would soon earn, who had exploited the resources and deprived the people from the benefits.

Hearing of Musharraf bail plea tomorrow ISLAMABAD—The Chief Justice of the Islamabad High Court has constituted two member division bench to hear on Monday Musharraf’s plea in judges’ detention case against ATC’s verdict cancelling his bail.

The two-member bench comprises Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan and Justice Shoukat Aziz Siddiqui.

Former President General (R) Pervez Musharraf had moved Islamabad High Court on Friday challenging the cancellation of his bail by Anti Terrorism Court in judges’ detention case.—APP

Jordan plans major exercises with 18 countries AMMAN —More than 15,000 soldiers from 18 different countries will take part in a joint military exercise in Jordan in the coming weeks, a military official said on Saturday. Jordan’s armed forces will host the exercise, “Eager Lion 2013”, with troops from “friendly countries”, including the United States, taking part, the official Petra news agency cited the official as saying. They will participate in battlefield, logistics and humanitarian exercises alongside troops from Britain, Bahrain, Canada, Czech Republic, Egypt, France,Iraq, Italy, Lebanon, Pakistan, Poland, Qatar, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen he added. –APP

Norwegian parliament seeks early solution of Kashmir conflict RAO ATIQ

MIRPUR—The Norwegian ParS ARGODHA —University of liament has conducted an imporSargodha announced the schedule of B.Ed, M.Com, M.Ed and other examinations. A university press release said on Saturday that first annual examination (2013) of BEd will held on June 25. Similarly, examinations of Form D (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Prof), MCom (part-2), M Ed , MBA (part 1&2), Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Architecture ( 2nd annual) would also be held on June 25 (Tuesday). — APP

Explosives seized in Jamrud, three suspects held

present from the PMLF side.

Sharif had conveyed a message of PMLNB Chief Mian Nawaz Sharif to Pir Pagara and felicitated him on winning seats in the general elections-2013 for the national and provincial assemblies. Both the leaders had agreed to place a joint leader of opposition in the provincial assembly of Sindh so that they could perform as strong opposition in the provincial assembly.

Pagara while speaking on the occasion said that the PMLF would continue to support the PMLN unconditionally.

Later, Sharif while talking to the newsmen said that he had arrived in the city on the directives of PMLN Chief Mina Nawaz Sharif for felicitating the PMLF chief over his success in elections and to discuss various issues of bilateral interest.

He said that he had on behalf of the PMLN chief offered the PMLF to joiningn the PMLN-led government in the centre and to visit Islamabad to attend the oath taking ceremony of the PMLN chief as the Pre-

tant debate for the second time in a year emphasizing for settlement of the Kashmir conflict, according to an AJK PID press release issued on Saturday. “An earlier debate was held in September 2012 when the Norwegian parliament raised the issue of existence of unidentified mass graves in occupied Kashmir”, it said adding that the interpolation entitled “Kashmir on the backdrop of withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan in

2014” was submitted for a debate by the Chairman of the Norwegian parliamentary Kashmir Committee and Christian Democrat (KRF) Party leader Mr. Knut Arild Hareide.

The debate, which lasted for nearly one hour, had the intervention of all major political parties, parliamentarians and representatives. During the debate, the Norwegian Foreign Minister Mr. Espen Barth Eide stated that it is very important to closely monitor and contribute to a united world community seeks to assist both countries in this tense situation. He outlined that the conflict between

India and Pakistan has deep historical roots: “There are many challenges associated with Kashmir. I do not think that a solution will be found in a kind of breakthrough, where everything suddenly negotiated done.

While mentioning the recent elections for a new parliament in Pakistan Mr. Barth declared that it clearly shows a change of attitudes. The election campaign was neither India nor Kashmir, in any case. He believes that it also suggests that a shift in the mood became clear when the election outcome occurs. Pakistan’s incoming Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif

wants closer relations with India.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has responded by inviting the newly elected Pakistani prime minister to visit. This, he believes is a very positive step.

About the India and Pakistan’s willingness to resolve the issues by dialogue he said “it is good to know that there is broad consensus that this is a major issue. It has strong regional dimensions. It affects those who live in Kashmir. It affects India and Pakistan, and it touches the region.

It is of course quite right that now that the region is moving, it is a reasonable time to ask questions

about what kind of impact it will have on the long-standing Kashmir conflict, not least when it comes to the risk that groups that have been fighting in Pakistan and Afghanistan can choose to go to Kashmir.”

Additionally, Mr. Knut Arild Hareide while warning both the countries for ignoring the Kashmir conflict, he emphasized “what more than anything else can destroy a better relationship between India and Pakistan is the conflict around Kashmir. This is a regressive wound in the relationship between governments and a continuing tragedy for the Kashmiri

people. In the region there is a fear of a renewed wave of violence and terrorism after 2014” The latest skirmish may yet be an indication of the increasing problems the two countries will face in the future when the US-led war in Afghanistan and the Pakistan struggle with regaining control over militant groups in its territory end”.

Stressing on the need to improve the negotiating atmosphere he said “it is important that both these (neighbouring) countries help build mutual trust and reduce fear and hatred.

About execution of Afzal Guru in February, he said, Norway is

against the death penalty and urges all countries to refrain from it. This is a principle which of course must apply in this region”.

Mr. Svein Roald Hansen who highlighted the historical and humanitarian aspect of the conflict said “There has been a conflict area with three wars, a strong military presence and repeated tensions and confrontations between India and Pakistan. It is a conflict that undermines fundamental human rights of the 10 million people who live there”

Childhood obesity is gateway to many other chronic diseases

L

ONG known to dramatically increase the risk of certain chronic health conditions later in life, childhood obesity also has serious, immediate health consequences, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles and published in the journal Academic Pediatrics.

The researchers found that overweight children are 30 percent more likely than children of normal weight to suffer from three or more medical, mental or developmental problems; obese children are 200 percent more likely.

“The findings should serve as a wake-up call to physicians, parents and teachers, who should be better informed of the risk for other health conditions associated with childhood obesity,” lead author Neal Halfon said.

Researchers have been aware for some time that even as childhood obesity rates have risen over the last 20 years, so have other childhood chronic conditions such as asthma, learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Although prior studies have looked for a connection between these phenomena, they have either had a small sample size or focused on a single condition or part of the country. In the current study, researchers constructed comprehensive health profiles of nearly 43,300 children between the ages of 10 and 17 across the United States. All children were participants in the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health.

15 percent had body mass indexes (BMIs) between the 85th and 95th percentiles (classified

as overweight), while 16 percent had BMIs above the 95th percentile (classified as obese).

The researchers compared weight with 21 separate indicators of general health, specific health disorders and psychosocial functioning.

The results were adjusted to account for differences in sociodemographic factors. The researchers found that obese children were significantly more likely than normal weight children to suffer from poorer health, more disability, ADHD, allergies, asthma; bone, joint and muscle problems, conduct disorders, depression, developmental delays, ear infections, emotional and behavioral problems, headaches, learning disabilities, and missed school days, grade repetition and other school problems.

“This study paints a comprehensive picture of childhood obesity,” Halfon said, “and we were surprised to see just how many conditions were associated with childhood obesity.”

Further studies will be needed to confirm the current research, Halfon and colleagues noted. In particular, longitudinal studies will help confirm whether obesity causes the associated health conditions, or whether there is some other factor that explains the connection. “Obesity might be causing the co-morbidity, or perhaps the co-morbidity is causing obesity - or both might be caused by some other unmeasured third factor,” Halfon said. “For example, exposure to toxic stress might change the neuroregulatory processes that affect impulse control seen in ADHD, as well as leptin sensitivity, which can contribute to weight gain.”

RAWALPINDI: Students of City School performing during graduation ceremony at Rawalpindi Arts Council on Saturday.

AIOU to introduce new communication devices STAFF REPORTER

PMDC launches inspection of hospitals, medical colleges STAFF REPORTER

I SLAMABAD —Administrator I SLAMABAD —Allama Iqbal Pakistan Medical and Dental

ISLAMABAD: SP Operations Islamabad Police Jamil Hashmi showing weapons recovered

by Tarnol Police during a Press conference.

Police foil drug smuggling bid; seize 285 kg hashish CRIME REPORTER I SLAMABAD —Tarnol police Islamabad on Saturday foiled a bid of drug smuggling and recovered 285 kilograms of hashish being transported from Peshawar to Gujrat.

Addressing a press conference, SP (Saddar Zone) Jamil Ahmed Hashmi said that IGP Islamabad Bani Amin Khan and SSP Yaseen Farooq directed for high vigilance at all entry and exit points of the city to check activities of anti-social elements.

SP Jameel Hashmi said special information was received regarding a possible attempt of huge cache of drug from Peshawar to down parts of the country. Police team recovered

285 kilograms hashish wrapped in packets and concealed in various cavities of the said vehicle.

Two persons identified as Mukhtiar Ahmed s/o M Basheer resident of Mohallah Babu Zahida, Swabi and Suleman Khan s/o Muhammad Iftikhar resident of Swabi were also arrested.

During preliminary investigation, the accused revealed to supply this huge quantity of hashish from Peshawar to Gujrat which was given to them by Sher Muhammad.

Further investigation is underway from them and special team has been constituted to arrest other accomplices of nabbed accused involved with them in this heinous crime of drug smuggling. Meanwhile, he said that

Tarnol police arrested 60 persons during 2013 for having illegal weapons besides recovering of 64 pistols, three guns, one Kalashnikov, one carbine and 540 rounds from them. Similarly, five dacoits’ gangs were also busted while 57 drug pushers were arrested during ongoing year. A total of 339533 gram hashish, 6525 gram opium, 3465 gram heroin, 1275 gram cocaine and 83 wine bottles were recovered from them.

He said it is his prime responsibility to ensure effective policing measures and curb activities of anti-social elements.

No stone will be left unturned to accomplish this task and maximum efforts will be also made to serve citizens by resolving their complaints on immediate basis.

Twin cities facing water scarcity ISLAMABAD/R AWALPINDI— The residents of various sectors have been facing water shortage for last two weeks and the scorching heat is adding to their woes.

Water shortage and continuous power cuts have doubled trouble of the residents particularly when sun is blazing down. “A man, suffered by the scorching heat and direly wishes to take shower, but it makes him mad when he finds no water there”, said a resident of G-I-8, who was much angry both with Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) and CDA. On the other hand, officials in the civic agency also blame IESCO for their inability to meet with the public aspirations.

The Authority is trying best to cope with the situation but 10hours long power outage is the major obstacle in its way, said an

official of CDA. “In the G-series of sectors, water is supplied from tube wells and pumping stations, which required regular supply of electricity”, the official added. He said water supply to the remaining sectors was not dependent on electricity; however, the exhaustion of Rawal Lake reservoir due to the increased demand and persistent dry weather was causing difficulty in water supply to these sectors.

He said that CDA had requested the IESCO for increased power supply for lessening difficulties of the residents.

Meanwhile, Various parts of Rawalpindi city and Rawalpindi Cantonment Board (RCB) have been hit hard by water shortage due to prolonged power outages causing immense inconvenience and problems for the residents.

The residents said that some parts of RCB are worst hit by acute water shortage as water consumption in sizzling summer season has increased many times.

They said that water is supplied to the areas for two hours in two days but due to unannounced loadshedding they do not get water for several days.

Hamid, a resident of Peoples Colony said that they pay all utility bills but cannot get the facilities of electricity and water in summer and Sui Gas in winter.

Residents are forced to arrange water tankers for Rs800 and Rs1,000, he added.

The residents further said that many people from the area have to fetch water from a long distance but the authorities concerned are not taking the matter seriously. —APP

Open University (AIOU) will soon upgrade its communication network with new electronic devices to reach its students, providing them curriculum-related material of their relevant subject at their doorsteps.

Currently, the University is mostly depending on postal services for providing books and study material to their students.

“We wish that electronic version of the books should also be made available for easy accessibility to the relevant programmes and courses, this was stated by the Vice-Chancellor, AIOU Prof. Dr. Nazir Ahmed Sangi while presiding over a meeting on communication network held at the University’s main campus, said a release issued here”.

He said that well-thought three-year plan will be worked out to benefit from the latest technology for better interaction with the students to meet their academic needs.

A pilot project will be introduced soon, initially at higher education level, covering the students of M.Phil and Ph.D. The University has already started the process of applying communication devices for providing electronic versions of the books to their students.

The Vice-Chancellor said that all-out efforts will be made to develop AIOU as an electronic University by the end of next year, making the distance learning system more effective for its students.

CDA launches operation against encroachment ISLAMABAD—The Capital Development Authority has launched operation against the encroached stalls set up at the outside of shops and Parking area while also confiscated five trucks.

On the special direction of DMA Director Officer of CDA Hamza Shafqat, Assistant Director Imdad Hussain and other staff launched operation in F-6/4 at Abbas Market and confiscated goods of ten shops that were encroached in parking area.

He further claimed that the notices have been issued to all of these shopkeepers several times for removal of these stalls but they did not pay heed towards our notices.

Meanwhile, AC also launched operation in Aabpara Market, Iram Café, Ali Baba restaurant including medical store and confiscated all encroached goods from them.—Online

Council Dr Amjad Mehmood Saturday said that they had launched inspections of all medical and dental colleges to point out their deficiencies and ensure their removal as laid down in rules.

Addressing a press conference, he said that the council has taken strict notice against those medical and dental colleges which are deficient in their faculty and do not have their own hospitals.

He said PMDC has stopped seven private medical colleges from offering admissions due to deficient teaching facilities including Abbottabad International

Medical College, Abbottabad, Muhammad Medical College, Mirpurkhas, Sindh, Mohiuddin Islamic Medical College, Mirpur, AJ&K, Al- Tibri Medical College, Karachi, Independent Medical College, Faisalabad, Rahbar Medical College and Faryal Medical College, Punjab.

Dr Amjad said that he will not compromise on the standard of medical /dental education and the process of inspection will continue till the requirements are fulfilled by the medical/dental institutions as per laid down criteria of PM&DC. He said that PM&DC had already handed over its record of doctors and dentists, including the foreign-qualified ones, and registration certificates issued by

it over the last 10 years to NAB and action had been initiated on the reports of ‘massive corruption, misuse of authority, violation of rules and procedures, and accumulation of assets beyond known sources of income by the Ex-Registrar under its Prevention Regime Initiatives.’

He said that On May 23rd the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) has also initiated inquiry under section 18(C) of NAO 1999 against Dr. Nadeem Akbar Ex Registrar of Pakistan Medical and Dental Council.

In this regard the bureau has directed its Investigation Officer to hold inquiry and submit final inquiry report together with the evidence and other material collected by August 29, 2013, he added.

IHC hears 300 cases next week ISLAMABAD—Chief Justice of Islamabad High Court (IHC) Justice Muhammad Anwar Khan Kasi has constituted four single and two division benches to hear over 300 cases during the next week starting from Monday (May 27).

Four single benches included the Chief Justice, Justice Riaz Ahmed Khan, Justice Noorul Haq N Qureshi and Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui.—APP

Five gamblers arrested RAWALPINDI—Rawalpindi Police have arrested 13 lawbreakers including five gamblers and seized 28 bottles of liquor, two pistols 30 bore with nine rounds and stolen goods worth Rs 72,000 from the possession of the accused.

According to police spokesman, Taxila police arrested Arshad and recovered 18 bottles of liquor. Rattaamral police held ISLAMABAD: Director Institute of Leadership, Hamim Qadri with students of CASE, during ‘The Danial on recovery of five liquor Dynamizers Movie Funshop Session’ organized by Sir Syed Youth Club.—PO photo Sultan Bashir bottles. —APP

HEC, Ministry of IT to collaborate for proliferation of ICT sector I SLAMABAD —The Higher that the establishment of the HEC erature (23,000 e-journals and ing vibrant and effective Education Commission (HEC) and Ministry of Information Technology have agreed to avail one another experience in the field of information technology for proliferation of ICT sector in Pakistan.

It was agreed during the visit of high level delegation of Ministry of Information Technology which paid visit to HEC Islamabad. The delegation was led by Federal Secretary of Ministry of Information Technology Dr Zafar Iqbal Qadir.

Prof Dr Mukhtar Ahmed Executive Director HEC welcomed the delegation and apprised about the working, functions and role of HEC for strengthening higher education sector in Pakistan. He informed

in 2002 has heralded a revolution in higher education in Pakistan; The HEC has accomplished more in ten years since its establishment than was achieved in the first 55 years of Pakistan’s existence. Research output has grown eight-folds since 2002 (from 815 in 2002 to 6,200 in 2011). 90% of these research publications from Pakistan are coming from HEIs. Output has more than doubled just in the last 3 years and is expected to double again in the next 3 years.

Speaking on the occasion, Chairperson HEC Dr. Javaid R. Laghari said Pakistan today is a regional leader in ICTs which other countries are following.

The Digital Library provides access to 75% of the World’s lit-

45,000 e-books). The video conferencing facility has been provided at 79 sites of 32 cities throughout the country. He also informed that due to revolutionary reforms in the sector, Pakistani universities have been included among the top world and Asian universities and Pakistani higher education model is being followed by other Asian countries.

During the meeting, HEC offered unified communication services; video conferencing facility and file tracking system to the ministry and the ministry officials also assured their cooperation to HEC for connectivity of about hundred colleges in Balochistan. The delegation appreciated the role of HEC in brin-

changes especially in ICT sector of Pakistan. They acknowledged that HEC has functioned extremely well and has delivered during the last decade.

They remarked that they have been impressed by visionary and capable leadership of HEC, the development strategy of HEC and various steps undertaken to improve quality of teaching and research, IT infrastructure development and human resource development in Pakistan.

Awais Ahmed Director General Administration & Coordination HEC and Anwar Amjad Director General Information Technology HEC were also present on the occasion.—NNI

Google eyes emerging markets networks NEW YORK—Google has become deeply involved in a series of projects to build and operate wireless networks in emerging markets including sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, a report said.

The Wall Street Journal, citing unnamed sources, reported the effort is part of a plan that could connect a billion or more new people to the Internet. Google did not immediately respond to an AFP request to comment on the report. According to the report, Google is “deep in the throes” of the effort to build wireless networks for people outside major cities where wired Internet connections are scarce. It said Google plans to team up with local companies in some of the countries to develop the networks, and formulate business models to support them.—APP

$465m convertible bonds ABU DHABI—National Bank

$15b Saudi bailout package Stress on low cost deposit to speaks of Nawaz statesmanship increase profitability of BoK AMANULLAH KHAN KARACHI—Saudi Arabia’s $15 billion bail out package for Pakistan economy especially to steer out the energy sector from a total message will go down a long way in the history.

The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has welcomed the Saudi Arabia’s generous offer to bail out Pakistan from its ongoing energy crisis.

The President FPCCI, Zubair Ahmed Malik has said that brotherly country Saudi Arabia is expected to extend a bailout package of about $15 billion to Pakistan’s highly indebted energy sector by supply-

ing crude and furnace oil on deferred payment to enable it to resolve the chronic circular debt issue which is most generous and a blessing to the incoming government of PML-N to combat the biggest problem of energy crisis prevailing for the last many years.

He said that it was heartening to know that Saudis had been taking reasonable interest in helping out the incoming PMLN government led by Nawaz Sharif as they also had extended a similar special package to Pakistan soon after it went nuclear in 1998 and faced international economic sanctions. He recalled that between 1998 and 2002, Pakistan received $3.5 billion

(Rs190 billion at the exchange rate at that time) worth of oil from Saudi Arabia on deferred payment, a major part of which was converted into grant, he said adding that it’s a golden opportunity for the new government to strengthen its repute among the masses and overcome energy crisis with immediate effect.

Malik said that as Pakistan expects about 100,000 barrels of crude oil and about 15,000 tons of furnace oil per day from Saudi Arabia on deferred payment for three years, the facility can be utilised to minimise load-shedding in the short term and provide an opportunity in the medium term to restructure the power sector by minimising

PLGMEA raps introduction of mini-budget

ers will cripple their businesses STAFF REPORTER of Abu Dhabi (NBAD), Abu and force widespread closures Dhabi’s biggest lender by assets KARACHI—Fawad Ijaz Khan, leading to unemployment. said yesterday it has issued Fawad stated that increas$465 million senior unsecured Patron-in-Chief Pakistan ing withholding tax on exports convertible bonds, convertible Leather Garments Manufacturinto ordinary shares of NBAD. ers & Exporters Association The issue was more than three (PLGMEA) and Mohammad Danish Khan Chairman times oversubscribed. “The PLGMEA criticized the decioffering, due in 2018, was sion of caretaker government to increased from an initial introduce mini-budget just one amount of $350 million following strong demand from month before the announcement to 1.5%, increasing GST rate of annual budget. investors during the bookFawad stated that exporters to 17%, imposing 1% withbuilding process,” NBAD said are already burdened with in- holding tax on duty free imin a statement. The bank said creasing costs of inputs and se- ports and 0.3% withholding the bonds will be issued on or vere electricity crisis. They are tax on cash withdrawals will around June 5, 2013 at par and finding it hard to meet their ex- cause sharp increase in the will carry a coupon of 1.00 per costs of inputs. Even 1% tax port commitments. cent per annum, payable semion exports is also very high The adverse law & order annually in arrear commencing situation in Karachi is also af- which will be more than the on September 12, 2013. “The fecting the export business se- tax by normal companies if a initial conversion price has comparison is made on net inbeen set at $4.2497, represent- verely. Imposing new taxes or come basis. increasing tax rates for exporting a premium of 30 per cent above the volume weighted average price of the NBAD shares between launch and pricing, translated into US dollars at the prevailing Dollar:AED exchange rate at pricing of $1 = AED 3.6730.— Agencies crisis coupled with high interOBSERVER REPORT est rate, excessive burden of FAISALABAD—Textile export- taxes and stuck up amounts in Valeant Pharma ers have stressed upon the up- refund regimes has not only deal coming government to forge jeopardized growth of the texNEW YORK—Canada’s Valeant export oriented policies to en- tile industry and exports but put Pharmaceuticals International is sure new surge in dwindled the survival of existing industry nearing a deal to acquire eye care economy and battered industrial at stake.

They said that textile sector company Bausch & Lomb from sector, said Asghar Ali, chairman and Muhammad Asif, vice has much hopes on the new govprivate equity owner Warburg Pincus LLC for about $9 billion, chairman Pakistan Textile Ex- ernment which is going to be a person familiar with the matter porters Association here today. formed with an industry-related In a press statement, PTEA background. It should be the top said. The person requested anonymity because the matter is office bearers urged the upcom- priority of the new Government not public. Valeant and Bausch & ing government to give top pri- to restore the confidence of inLomb could not be immediately ority to boost economy as Paki- dustrialists and overcome the reached for comment. Warburg stan could not make sound energy crises, they said.

Terming energy shortage as Pincus declined to comment. The progress without turning around Wall Street Journal, which earlier its sagging economy. Energy main hurdle in industrial proreported on the talks, said a deal might come as soon as next week.—Agencies A B U D H A B I —Abu Dhabi MRO network being consistently year PQ remains active Aircraft Technologies recognised after year on an international (ADAT) –overhaul (MRO) KARACHI—One ship arrived services provider and part of platform like the ATE & M at the Port to load/offload coal the Mubadala - once again Awards,” said James Stewart, at IOCB on Friday, port won the “Best Airframe MRO Group CEO of the Mubadala sources said here Saturday.

Provider – Middle East & Af- Aerospace MRO network.

Berth occupancy was rica” award for the fourth con- “As we synergise our capamaintained at 29% at the Port secutive year at the ATE&M bilities further across the neton Friday where a total of four Awards. work, we will continue to ofships namely M.V KPS-I The award was presented fer the most competitive, Alican BEY-Powership, M.V to Abdul Khaliq Saeed, Presi- world-class and customised Caribean Sea, M.V Bulk dent of ADAT, at a gala aerospace solutions to our Pangaea, M.T AL Salam-II are awards ceremony in London customers from around the currently occupying berths to on 8 May 2013. world.” load/ offload containers, coal, “I would like to thank all “It gives me great pleadiesel oil. Cargo handling sure to see the strengths of our our customers and industry operations were carried out smoothly at the Port where a cargo volume 57600 tonnes comprising 31865 tonnes import 25735 tonnes export, 1958 (TUEs) was handled during the last 24 hours. M.T term decisions should be left for Al Salam-II sailed on Friday STAFF REPORTER the coming elected government. evening, M.V Caribean Sea The business leaders inKARACHI—The leadership of sailed on Saturday morning.

M.V President Adam at QICT, Karachi Chamber of Com- cluded Vice Chairman Businessmerce and Industry (KCCI) men Group at KCCI and former M.T Princes Park at Evtl, M.T and Town Associations of the president KCCI Muhammad Arietis at FOTCO arrived on city on Friday expressed con- Zubair Motiwala, President May 25, 2013.—APP cern over the proposed mini- KCCI, Muhammad Haroon budget especially increase in Agar, Senior Vice President general sales tax up to 17 per- Shamim Ahmed Firpo, Senior Vice President Nasir Mehmood, cent.

They said the trade and in- former presidents of the Chamdustry, which is already faced ber Anjum Nisar, Majyd Aziz, There is one person in with high cost of doing busi- A.Q. Khalil, Central Chairman, charge of every office ness, cannot afford any extra Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers in America and that burden of taxes in any form. and Exporters Association person is Charles During a press conference, (PHMA) Muhammad Jawed here on Friday, at the Cham- Bilwani, SITE Association of Darwin. ber the business leaders argued Industry’s Vice Chairman Dr. — Charlie Grandy that such important and long- Qazi Ahmed Kamal, Chairman,

Danish Khan stated that the exports of leather garments are already showing declining trend from April 2013 due to above mentioned

causes and is most likely to continue this decreasing trend in the next couple of months.

The exports declined by over 15% during April 2013 as compared to March 2013.

Fawad Ijaz Khan urged the caretaker government to withdraw its decision to introduce mini-budget or to burden the already over-burdened exporters with additional taxes.

Textile exporters urge new govt to forge export oriented policies cess, Asghar Ali urged the government to prioritize uninterrupted energy supply to the textile industry to secure 15 million jobs and USD 14 billion exports.

Textile sector has been hit hard due to ongoing energy crisis, depriving the gas supply to the textile units for four days a week. Energy shortage has adversely affected textile production mainly meant for exports, as 50 percent of its capacity potential remained non-operative.

Sizeable workforce has been laid off due to disruption of gas supply, adding to the unemployment index of the country with

Continued on Page 11

ADAT receives London ATE&M award peers who voted for us as the leading MRO in the Middle East and Africa and for our people who made this possible with their dedication and hard work,” said Abdul Khaliq Saeed, President of ADAT. “Being acknowledged and awarded for excellence for four years in a row by our customers and partners is a privilege and we remain fully committed to go the extra mile to meet and exceed their expectations at all times.”—Agencies

subsidies, eliminating circular debt, ensuring recovery from the public sector and reducing system losses to bring it to a selfsustainable level.

He appreciated the gesture by the Saudi Arabian government at this juncture when Pakistan is facing sever crisis of electricity and massive loadshedding is continuing across the country besides having another crisis of gas shortage. He advised the PML-N to avail this opportunity for the short-term and in the meantime devise an effective and comprehensive strategy to permanent solution of the problem which is badly hurting country’s economy and public life.

Fiat dismisses fears over headquarters move ROME—Auto giant Fiat played down the importance of the location of its headquarters on Friday, amid alarm in Italy that it could move to the United States after completing its planned merger with Chrysler, and denied it was planning a tax dodge.

Chairman John Elkann said during a conference in Milan that the company could end up having more than one headquarters, and the decision on where to locate central offices was not based on taxes.

“Companies like ours do not have just one headquarters, but several. We have an important market in Europe managed from Turin, another important one in North America run by Detroit, that of South America is directed

by Belo Horizonte and Asia is managed from Shanghai,” he said.

“The more we advance, the less sense the concept of headquarters has,” he added.

Elkann was reacting to fears among Italian trade unions that the group plans to quit its historic headquarters in Turin, in northern Italy.

Italian media have also speculated that the Fiat Industrial arm—which makes trucks and agricultural vehicles—plans to move its legal headquarters to Britain, which is lowering its corporate tax rates.—APP

BBM on Android, iPhone devices soon N EW Y ORK —Within a few weeks’ time, BlackBerry Messenger, or BBM, will be available on all the latest Android devices and the iPhone, the Canadian company announced.

In the planned initial release, Android and iOS users would be able to experience the immediacy of BBM chats, including multi-person chats, as well as the ability to share photos and voice notes, and engage in BBM Groups.

The company is abandoning the platform’s exclusivity that had for years been a crucial tool in attracting and retaining users. But the free apps will be available once approved for Apple’s iOS 6 software released last year and devices running Android 4.0 or higher. The Waterloo-based company has been very active during this year as it first launched new devices with its new operating system — the Z10 and Q10.—Agencies

STAFF REPORTER

PESHAWAR—Managing Director Bank of Khyber (BoK) Javed Hashmat has said that the Bank was laying great stress on low cost of deposit to increase its profitability as big entities are not giving much profit.

Talking to media here, Mr. Hashmat while dilating upon performance of the first quarter of the Bank ended march 31, 2013, said, the BoK is progressing with each passing day as its growth rate increasing considerably, adding the profit of the Bank would

be certainly more than Rs.1 billion profit shown last year.

“Certainly bank’s performance viz a viz deposits and advances will be more than the previous year”, he told.

Mr. Hashmat, who has 35 years plus banking to his credit, said that profit of return from the small and medium enterprises was more than the big entities that is why we are focusing on promoting the SMEs. Giving details of unaudited advances made by the bank in the first quarter, he said it stood at Rs.262.81 million as on

March 31, 2013 similarly the deposits are Rs.569.72 million during the same period.

The bank achieved Rs.310200 profit after tax in the first quarters which was Rs.250956 in 2012. To a question, MD BoK said that the provincial economy need deep and decisive fiscal and energy sector reforms and an early realization of planned foreign financial inflows to mitigate uncertainty.

He said the BoK’s current paid up capital stands at Rs. 9 billion and it will be increased to Rs.10 billion by the end of 2013.

Freeport Indonesia union: Mine shut, maintenance underway WASHINGTON—Between 35 and 40 percent of workers at Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc’s Indonesian unit returned to work on Saturday to carry out maintenance work after a tunnel collapse that killed 28 people, a union official said.

The resumption of work was a possible sign the firm was gearing up towards restarting operations at the world’s No. 2 copper mine.

Arizona-based Freeport suspended operations at the remote Papua mine on May 15, at a cost estimated at about $15 million

a day in lost production.

Operations were suspended a day after the tunnel, away from its main operations, fell in on 38 workers.

“Starting today, around 35 to 40 percent of workers have been back to work in Freeport mining facility in Papua, but only for mining facilities and equipment maintenance, especially in Grasberg open-pit mining,” Papua-based union leader Virgo Solossa told Reuters.

“Production activities are still shut. We hope investigation teams complete their works as

soon as possible.”

Several investigations are being conducted, including one by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and one by Freeport Indonesia using international experts.

Solossa reiterated that all investigations into the cause of the collapse must be completed before mining resumes at the Grasberg complex, which also holds the world’s largest gold reserves.

“The company, with the unions, have agreed to actually return to work, starting yesterday,”.—Agencies

Indian rupee drops by 75 paise against dollar MUMBAI—Although the In- week lower at 55.06 a dollar billion in the first four days of dian rupee came off from over its eight-month intra-day low of below 56-mark, it closed down by 75 paise at six-month low of 55.63 on sluggish local equities amid sustained dollar demand from importers and some banks, extending losses for the third straight week.

Late weakness in dollar also weighed on the rupee while sustained capital inflows failed to stem the rupee fall.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local unit commenced the

from last weekend’s close of 54.88 and immediately touched a high of 54.80.

Later, it continued to decline and touched a low of 56.01 before concluding the week at 55.63, showing a fall of 75 paise or 1.36 pct. In straight threeweek of losing string, it has slumped by 169 paise or 3.13 pct.

The Indian rupee closed week sharply lower by almost 582 points or 2.87 pct, snapping five-week of rising trend while FIIs pumped in over USD 1.0

the week, as per Sebi data.

On May 17, global agency Standard & Poor’s threatened to downgrade India’s rating to ‘junk’ status if it fails to pursue reforms, keeping the rupee under pressure.

“The fall in rupee was expected after S&P’s warning to downgrade the Indian economy to junk status on Friday. Also a bearish stock market and weakening in euro and Japanese yen against the dollar also dampened the rupee sentiment today,” said N S Venkatesh, Head (Treasury) at IDBI Bank.—Agencies

Yahoo joins growing list of bidders for Hulu: sources NEW YORK—Yahoo Inc has submitted a formal proposal to buy Hulu, joining a growing list of bidders for the video service owned by News Corp and Walt Disney Co, two sources with knowledge of the bid.

Yahoo just this week announced a $1.1 billion acquisition of blogging service Tumblr.

It now joins rival bidders for Hulu, including Time Warner Cable Inc, DirecTV, former News Corp president Peter Chernin and Guggenheim Digital Media, sources have said.

It is unclear how much the Internet company bid. Sources have said Chernin is bidding $500 million, excluding an additional sum to cover Hulu’s debt and programming commitments.

But a source close to the bidding told Reuters his offer was too low, that Hulu could be worth as much as $1 billion to $2 billion.

Time Warner Cable’s bid was fashioned as an equity investment, another person said, as the cable operator hopes to set up a joint venture with other cable companies to operate Hulu.

Yahoo did not respond to requests for comment. Its shares closed up 1.2 percent at $26.33.

At least five bidders have emerged for the five-year-old video service with 4 million users, potentially setting up a bidding competition. A second source close to the bidding said the offers submitted so far were non-binding and dependent on Hulu amending content licensing agreements the bidders found too restrictive.

Silver Lake, a minority owner of influential Hollywood talent agency William Morris Endeavor, has also submitted an indicative letter of interest, the source familiar with the Hulu

bidding said, confirming an earlier Bloomberg report. The private equity firm teamed up with William Morris Endeavor, which it invested in a year ago, for the bid, according to the source.

Hulu, which generated revenues of around $700 million last year, streams TV shows online in similar fashion to Netflix Inc. It is being advised in the sale by Guggenheim Partners, a separately funded group from the digital media unit that placed the bid. Yahoo has gone on an acquisition spree to bring in talent as well as beef up its mobile and online products and content, as CEO Marissa Mayer tries to revive a once-dominant Internet icon that has for years bled users. Yahoo remains one of the Web’s most popular destinations, but has seen its revenue shrink, as consumers and advertisers favour rivals such as Google Inc and Facebook Inc.—Agencies

KCCI, Town Associations express concern over GST raise to 17pc Federal B- Area Association of Trade and Industry, Haroon Shamsi, Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry, Zubair Ahmed Chhaya, President, Bin Qasim Association of Trade and Industry, Usman Ahmed, SITE Superhighway Association of Industry’s Aslam Rayaz besides the KCCI Managing Committee Members.

“We will not accept the proposed mini-budget,” they asserted.

The preparation and implementation of budget 2013-14 is a prerogative of the elected government which is expected to take charge in the next 10 days, which is just prior to start of next

fiscal year, they added.

They were of the opinion that this action by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is indeed a cover up for its failure to achieve revenue targets for 2012-13.

The incompetence and lack of will on the part of FBR to broaden the tax base is reflected in the drastic increase in General Sales Tax (GST) and withholding tax on existing taxpayers and is a short-cut to achieve revenue targets, the business community members maintained.

The measures proposed under mini-budget would badly affect the manufacturing concerns, export-oriented indus-

tries, trade and industry, which have already been confronted with many problems.

The registered tax-payers are already burdened with multiplicity of taxes and the Caretaker Government intends to penalise them with the burden of additional taxes, they maintained.

Against demand of apex trade bodies all over Pakistan for reduction of GST to 8% or 9%, the FBR has proposed an increase in GST up to 17%. This measure will result in tax evasion and discourage new potential tax payers, M. Zubair Motiwala said.

He maintained that with increase in GST rate the tax col-

lection will not increase. By virtue of making all sales tax registered persons as with-holding agents, the system has been made more complicated and will encourage black economy. smuggling, tax evasion, underinvoicing, mis-declaration and decline in exports, he contended.

He said the imposition of 10 % with-holding tax on domestic consumers of electricity is too high and unbearable for domestic consumers. The high rate will only lead to pilferage and theft of electricity.

Central Chairman, Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) Muhammad Jawed Bilwani said

the abolition of zero-rated regime will have a negative impact on exports.

Stakeholder must be taken on board for any major changes in the regime. Increase in rate of tax on exporters from 1.0 % to 1.5% and 2.0% will render the exporters from Pakistan uncompetitive in global market.

Increase in the with-holding tax on commercial importers from 5 % up to 6.5% will also not be acceptable as it will sharply increase the cost of raw materials and will open the floodgates for smuggling, under-invoicing and evasion, the PHMA chief maintained.

USA

98.20

98.00

UK

148.15

147.85

EURO

126.90

126.64

Canada

95.05

94.86

Switzerland

101.43

101.22

Australia

94.93

94.74

Sweden

14.76

14.73

Japan

0.9663

0.9643

Norway

16.84

16.81

Singapore

77.54

77.38

Denmark

17.02

16.99

Omani Riyal

255.00

245.00

Saudi Arabia

26.19

26.13

Hong Kong

12.65

12.63

Kuwait

342.58

341.88

Malaysia

32.36

32.30

Newzeland

79.39

79.23

Qatar

26.97

26.92

UAE

26.74

26.68

KR WON

0.0869

0.0867

Thailand

3.271

3.264

KARACHI—Following were the bullion rates in major cities yesterday.

45428.00 754.28

MULTAN: Gold Tezabi (24-Ct) Gold 22 Ct SilverTezabi Silver Thobi

joint ventures in energy, agricul- of Pakistan, he said, adding that ture, livestock, IT and other sec- all weather friendship between the two countries “is precious R AWALPINDI —Rawalpindi tors. than gold”.

Chamber of Commerce and InHe said the Chinese dustry RCCI Saturday termed premier’s visit would go a long the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang way towards strengthening and visit to Pakistan a fruitful and exploring new avenues of partresult oriented. nership for the betterment of the In a statement issued here, two countries. the President RCCI Manzar He lauded Chinese Prime Khurshid said that the visit of Minister’ pledge that China was Chinese Premier Li Keqiang to ready to extend cooperation to Pakistan would further enhance Pakistan in the field of civil volume of trade between the nuclear technology, mass trancountries. sit projects like the bullet train He said that Pakistan is a The President said the people in Pakistan, metro bus service paradise for foreign investment and especially there is a vast of Pakistan always attached great for big cities and reinvigoration scope for Chinese private and importance to the Chinese people of economic activities through public sector investment and as China is a time-tested friend investment.

STAFF REPORTER

ACCA launches new award for aspiring finance professionals STAFF REPORTER ISLAMABAD —A new award

KARACHI: Gold Tezab Silver Tezabi

RCCI terms Chinese Premier’s visit fruitful

45430.00 41540.00 789.00 760.00

Is gold still a lucrative investment?

DUBAI—Gold has always been considered a safe haven for investments. When the markets crumbled in the past, investors ran to it for shelter.

However, when this asset of last resort suddenly loses its lustre, investors change their tack.

After prices of the precious metal plummeted in recent months, investors ditched their gold-backed ETF holdings and shifted their money to other investment vehicles. Gold exchange traded funds (ETFs) are not bars and coins, but they are units representing the physical metal that are traded like a stock.

The latest World Gold Council report showed that overall gold demand dropped by 13 per cent in the first quarter this year, as investors adopted a short-term, more speculative approach and started redeeming their ETFs. ETF investors across the globe sold an equivalent of 176.9 tonnes or about $9.3 billion worth of the precious metal in the first quarter, representing a 7 per cent decline in total gold ETF holdings over the period.

“A proportion of more opportunistic and eventdriven investors reacted to the first quarter price drop by selling their ETF holdings,” the World Gold Council said in its report. “This reaction may have been driven by several factors; profit-taking on long-held positions; losslimitation on more recently initiated positions; a switch to other investment channels,” the report said.

The price of gold has been declining in recent months, with falls registering more than $300 last month alone. Financial experts said the significant decline prompted investors to speculate that the commodity’s glory days are over. The resurgence of equities as an attractive investment alternative is also contributing to the shift.

“Investors have become concerned by the falls in the price of gold. The dramatic and rapid fall has led many investors to believe that the bull run for gold is over, and at the same time they have seen equities have one of their best runs in over five years,” James Thomas, regional director at Acuma Independent Financial Advice, told Gulf News.

“As is often the case, many investors have crystallised large losses in gold, and then invested into equities to try and get onto their bull run in the hope of recouping their previous losses and benefit from the equity markets performance.

There has been a realization that companies have actually been performing well, and have also been able to generate healthy dividend, and so therefore their stocks have risen accordingly.”—Agencies

called the Foundation Diploma is launched in Pakistan on 9th May by ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants). The Foundation Diploma provides essential knowledge and skills for those students who have completed Intermediate, Matriculation or O ‘ levels, and is a clear entry route onto ACCA’s main accountancy qualification called the ACCA Qualification.

Arif Mirza, head of ACCA Pakistan says: “We want all our aspiring finance professionals here in Pakistan to have every opportunity for success, so we have been working closely with learning partners here to develop this Foundation Diploma.

This Diploma offers the best preparation for students to progress to the Masters Degree

level ACCA Qualification. It is important that students have the relevant knowledge and skills to enable them to advance onto this challenging qualification, and the Foundation Diploma

offers just that.”

The new ACCA Foundation Diploma has seven exams, plus the Foundations in Professionalism online module, as follows: FA1 – Recording Financial Transactions, MA1 – Management Information, FA2 – Maintaining Financial Records, MA2 – Managing Costs and Finance, FAB – Accountant in Business, FMA – Management Accounting, FFA – Financial

Accounting, Foundations in Professionalism – online ethics module.

Students will be expected to take all seven exams to gain the Foundation Diploma and will then be eligible for the ACCA Qualification. With computer based exams available all year, and paper exams twice a year, the Foundation Diploma student could complete the entire Diploma in less than 12 months.

ACCA Karachi office has organised ACCA Foundation Diploma Launch event at Marriott, Karachi on 21st May’13. Rehan Uddin, Head of ACCA Karachi and Dr. Afra Sajjad, Regional Head of Education MENASA will be present at the event. The other key stakeholders will include British Council, Approved Learning Partners of ACCA and Career Counselors.

Chinese premier criticizes EU move on trade measures SHANGHAI—Chinese Premier troublesome issue so far.

Li Keqiang criticized the European Union over its plans to investigate alleged anti-competitive behavior by Chinese mobile telecom equipment makers and to impose punitive import duties on solar panels from China, state media reported.

The official Xinhua news agency reported that Li had told business leaders in Switzerland such measures would “harm others without benefiting oneself”.

Li is the most senior Chinese official to comment on the

The European Union is considering whether to impose punitive import duties on solar panels from China after the United States levied its own duties last year - a move fiercely opposed by Beijing.

European Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said this month he and fellow commissioners had agreed in principle to open an anti-dumping and anti-subsidy case against China, but would first seek to negotiate a solution with Chinese authorities.

China has threatened to

retaliate if the EU pushes ahead with the investigation.

China hopes the EU will think about overall economic and trade relations between them and uphold the principles of free trade when handling the two cases, Xinhua quoted Li as saying.

The EU is China’s most important trading partner, while for the EU China is second only to the United States. Chinese export of goods to the 27-member bloc totalled 290 billion euros ($374.98 billion) last year, with 144 billion euros going the other way.—Agencies

Textile exporters every passing day.

Unprecedented supply cut of four days a week and long hours forced power outages has put the industry again on back gear. Especially power looms sector, the base of textile sector has started trembling and hundreds of units have been forced to shut down operations due to 16 to 18 hours long daily forced electricity outages. The crisis is still on and we don’t know about future of this sector.

Chairman PTEA was of the view that high interest rate is a stumbling block for investment in the country. Textile industry is ready to undertake further investment as early as it is provided with financial environment conducive to grow. New Government should focus on to ensure liquidity available for the industry for productive utiliza-

From Page 10 tion leading to industrial development in the country. Textile export volume could be escalated to USD 20 billion from the existing worth of USD 13 billion if the government takes all stakeholders on board and finalizes an export policy with their consultations, keeping in mind the existing huge trade gap of USD 21.271 billion, as during 2011–12 total exports of Pakistan were USD 23.641 billion against total imports of USD 44.912 billion.

This huge trade gap has resulted into inflation and devaluation of Pak Rupee, he said. The government may study export policies of India, China and Bangladesh where exporters are facilitated through exportfriendly policies, he said and added that FBR should announce export friendly policies

instead of creating difficulties for the industry.

Muhammad Asif was of the view that textile industry, being mainstay of country’s economy deserves priority of the government with respect to uninterrupted energy supply, payment of refunds and relaxation in taxes enabling it to compete in international market. Economic managers of the new government would keep industry operational and no compromises would be made. Industry hopes that prudence as well as solutions imperative for the proper functioning of industry for the sake of national output would be made.

PTEA chiefs urged the new leadership to draw a comprehensive line of action for revival of the economy and to boost national exports and industrial development in the country.

Arabtec wins $108m hospital contract in SA R I YA D H —A subsidiary of Dubai-based contractor Arabtec Holding has won 404million Saudi riyals ($107.7 million) contract to build a hospital in Saudi Arabia (SA), the company said in a statement on Saturday.

The Aldara Hospital and Medical Centre is scheduled for completion in early 2015 and will house a 105-bed, six-storey hospital and two medical centres in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. The client is Aldara Medical Corporation, the statement said. The contract was awarded to Arabtec Terna, which is 60 percent owned

by Arabtec, the company that built Dubai’s Palm Island.

The company said it wants to expand in the Gulf region and do more specialised construction projects.—Agencies

Freeport Indonesia union says 35-40pc of workers resume work JAKARTA—Between 35 and 40 percent of workers at Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc’s Indonesian unit returned to work on Saturday to carry out maintenance work after a training tunnel collapse that killed 28 people, a union official said.

The resumption of work was a possible sign that the firm was gearing up towards restarting operations at the world’s No. 2 copper mine.

Arizona-based Freeport suspended operations at the remote Papua mine on May 15 at a cost estimated at about $15 million a day in lost production, a day after the tunnel, away from its main operations, fell in on 38 workers.

“Starting today, around 35 to 40 percent of workers have been back to work in Freeport mining facility in Papua, but only for mining facilities and equipment maintenance, especially in Grasberg open-pit mining,” Papua-based union leader Virgo Solossa told Reuters.

“Production activities are still shut. We hope investigation teams complete their works as soon as possible.”

Several investigations are being conducted into the collapse, including one by the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry and one by Freeport Indonesia using international experts.—Agencies

King Abdullah opens 2013 World Economic Forum ABU DHABI—King Abdullah speaks during the opening session of the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa yesterday on the shores of the Dead Sea, 55 km southeast of Amman.

King Abdullah of Jordan opened the 2013 World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa with an urgent appeal for more regional cooperation, in the light of unfolding chaos in Syria and the need for peace in Palestine.

“Openness is a strategic choice for Jordan, but regional cooperation is the backbone of sustainable growth throughout the region,” King Abdullah said.

“It is also absolutely necessary for stability and peace.”

King Abdullah called for far more urgency to find a political solution in Syria to prevent fur-

ther fragmentation of the region and spread of violence. He was speaking in the full knowledge that his small country is host to more than 500,000 Syrian refugees, equal to 10 per cent of the country’s population.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas made a special address to the World Economic Forum, in which he repeated the Palestinians’ continued commitment to the Two State Solution, under which two states of Israel and Palestine are supposed to co-exist in peace and mutual respect.

He assured the meeting that the Palestinian Authority has done everything necessary to push ahead with a peace agreement based on a two-state solution. Abbas said that “there remains a small window of opportunity for peace, and I invite the

Israelis to make peace a reality on the ground.”

Abbas also said that his Fatah party wants to end the split with Hamas, and that reconciliation needs a transitional government of neutral figures, which Abbas said was largely agreed, which would be followed by elections in all the territories which he said was not yet agreed.

Abbas said that his top priorities are ending Palestinian divisions, Jewish colony activity, Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and freeing Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.

The unannounced visits to the World Economic Forum of the US Secretary of State John Kerry, and Senators John McCain and Bob Menendez are part of an American effort to refocus attention on the Middle East.—Agencies

Samsung Galaxy S4 road-show begins L AHORE—Samsung Galaxy Drama Shot Feature with proper guided hands-on experience S4, the world’s fastest selling phone in the Samsung lineup is going places in Pakistan.

The company announced today a series of nationwide road shows that will bring the irresistible Galaxy S4 closer than ever before to consumers throughout the country. The activation drive will kick-off from 25 May to 28 May, 2013 at the Dolmen Mall, Karachi, with similar activities planned in Lahore and Islamabad, respectively.

The event will showcase incredible features of Galaxy S4 in a fulfilled and experiential way. This includes individual, group-based learning and exiting games. Highlight of the event ranges from activities like becoming hero of the day by taking a picture from Samsung S4

light setup & background to competing for Samsung S4 Gaming Champ in one on one interactive game session. Treadmill run with the handset in the hand will also be an interesting feature of the event.

Samsung Pakistan’s Head of Mobile Phone Business at SEPAK, Farid Ullah Jan, said; “People ask what the Galaxy S4 has? A better question is: what doesn’t it have? Samsung Galaxy S4 will continue to inspire the world of global smartphones.

The Samsung Galaxy S4 Activation drive across Pakistan will give a unique platform for visitors to know the fascinating features of the stunning Galaxy S4 and at the same time avail the best price in town”.

Consumers can not only look forward to an interactive

with the Galaxy S4, but Samsung brand ambassadors will also be present at the event to share more about the features and any one can stand to win exclusive premiums by participating in a series of on-site activities with an unprecedented chance of winning Samsung Galaxy S4. The event will not only enthrall visitors with a complete experience of this innovative product, but will also not leave the venue without taking back interesting giveaways.

Along with citizens from all walks of life, various media personalities and celebrities will also grace the occasion and special discounts will be offered on the purchase of the Galaxy S4.

For Karachiites, this is surely an event not to be missed over the coming weekend.—NNI

Wall Street Week Ahead: Investors look for signs in rally’s break N E W Y ORK —The stock cerns for investors right now is lio manager at Cozad Asset

market’s break in its recent rally this week left investors wondering if they’re seeing a turning point or just a blip in the upward path.

Next week could make it harder to figure out, considering that the long Memorial Day weekend typically signals the start of the summer.

The three major U.S. stock indexes posted a decline for the week on Friday, their first weekly loss since mid-April, raising some fresh worries that this year’s rally may be weakMADRID—Spain’s bailed-out ening. lender Bankia on Friday anAmong the biggest connounced it would sell City National Bank of Florida to Chile’s BCI for around 683 million euros ($883 million).

The bank said in a statement it had “made provisions in late 2010 to cover losses” of City National, meaning it “hopes for a net capital gain of around 180 million euros” from the sale to BUCHAREST—Romania put an Banco de Credito e Inversiones. attempt to privatise its rail The sale of Bankia’s Ameri- freight business back on track on can subsidiary, brokered by Friday, in line with conditions Goldman Sachs and laid down by the IMF and EU, Sullivan&Cromwell, will result saying that three disqualified in 435 job losses, the statement candidates had re-qualified.

Under an agreement on fisaid.

The move is part of the nancial help in 2011, the Inter“commitments under the plan to national Monetary Fund and restructure the BFA-Bankia European Union required Rogroup approved by the Spanish mania to privatise the company, and European authorities in No- CFR Marfa.

The state intends to sell 51.0 vember 2012,” it added.

The transaction should go percent of the company at a price ahead “between the last quarter set initially at 180 million euros of 2013 and the first of 2014” ($233 million).

The ministry of transport after receiving the go-ahead of the US, Spanish and Chilean said on Friday that three comauthorities, the statement panies had qualified for the next phase of the process. said.—Agencies

Bankia sells City National Bank to Chile’s BCI for 683m euros

how soon the Federal Reserve may be ending its stimulus program. The minutes released this week from the Federal Reserve’s latest meeting showed some officials were open to tapering large-scale asset purchases as early as at the June meeting.

Volume picked up sharply in the last two days following Wednesday’s release of the Fed’s minutes.

“We should have already been prepared for” the Fed’s eventual tapering of stimulus measures, said Bryant Evans, investment adviser and portfo-

Management, in Champaign, Illinois.

“The market is perhaps just looking for an excuse to sell off some gains. And then you throw in the ‘sell in May and go away’ philosophy, well, here we are Memorial Day weekend.”

The pickup in volume suggested to some a shift in sentiment, though activity has been below-average throughout the rally, which has taken the Dow and the S&P 500 to record highs.

Much of that rally has been driven by the Fed’s continued economic stimulus.—Agencies

US, Austrian firms back in Romanian rail freight sale It named them as OmniTRAX, a private US company, the Romanian railway group (GFR) which is the leading private rail freight operator in Romania, and a consortium.

The consortium comprises Romanian company TFG (Transferoviar Group), and Austrian investment fund DonauFinanz and CO KG Austria.

They have until June 5 to present their final bids. The result of the tender will be announced on June 20.

The financial daily newspaper Ziarul Financiar ran a headline on its website “Surprise turn of events” noting that the three bidders had failed to qualify when the first attempt at the ten-

der was made last week.

Since then the government has relaxed terms and conditions.

Now candidates may participate if their turnover in the last three years exceeded 20 million euros instead of 100 million euros required previously. Romania has repeatedly failed to respect the timetable for the privatisation and has obtained a delay of three months from the IMF and EU, up to the end of June, to privatise the business. In Romania and Bulgaria, two former Communist countries which joined the European Union in 2007, the privatisation of state-owned rail freight companies has been announced for years, but repeatedly put off.—Agencies

Chile’s Indians take on world’s largest gold miner E L C ORRAL, Chile—The Diaguita Indians live in the foothills of the Andes, just downstream from the world’s highest gold mine, where for as long as anyone can remember they’ve drunk straight from the glacier-fed river that irrigates their orchards and vineyards with its clear water.

Then thousands of mine workers and their huge machines moved in, building a road alongside the river that reaches all the way up to Pascua-Lama, a gold mine being built along both sides of the Chile-Argentine border at a lung-busting 16,400-feet (5,000 meters) above sea level.

The crews moved mountaintops in preparation for 25 years of gold and sil-

ver production, breaking rocks and allowing mineral acids that include arsenic, aluminum and sulfates to flow into the headwaters feeding Atacama desert communities down below.

River levels dropped, the water is murky in places and the Indians now complain of cancerous growths and aching stomachs. There’s no way to prove or disprove it, but villagers are convinced Barrick Gold Corp. is to blame for their health problems.

“We don’t know how much contamination the fruit and vegetables we eat may have,” complained Diaguita leader Yovana Paredes Paez. “They’re drying up the river, our farms aren’t the same. The animals are dying of hunger. Now there’s no cheese or meat. It’s changed com-

pletely.”

Acting independently, Chile’s newly empowered environmental regulator on Friday confirmed nearly two dozen violations of Barrick’s environmental impact agreement, blocking construction on the $8.5 billion project until the Canadian company keeps its promises to prevent water contamination.

The Environmental Superintendent, Juan Carlos Monckeberg, also fined Barrick $16.4 million, the highest environmental fine in Chile’s history, saying agency inspectors found the company hadn’t told the full truth when it reported failures.

“We found that the acts described weren’t correct, truthful or provable. And there were other failures of Pascua-Lama’s environmental permit as well,”

Monckeberg said.

Barrick promised $30 million in fixes and said it remains committed to meeting the highest standards and causing no pollution. But Chile seems determined to minimize the dangers of digging huge pits and processing ore with toxic chemicals along the spine of the Andes, causing delays that threaten the future of this top priority for the world’s largest gold-mining company.

“We’re profoundly sorry that Pascua-Lama has suffered obstacles in its construction and we’ll make our best efforts to get back on track and meet the conditions stipulated in the approved project,” Eduardo Flores Zelaya, president of Barrick Sudamerica, said Friday. “We are respectful of the institutions

in the countries where we operate, and as a consequence we will follow the resolution.”

Monckeberg said Barrick caused permanent damage by failing to properly construct a diversionary canal, triggering a rockfall that covered a field down below with waste rock.

“I don’t believe there’s any way of repairing it,” he told a news conference in Santiago.

Barrick had hoped to begin production in early 2014, and warned shareholders that it might abandon Pascua, the Chilean side, if construction delays keep the mine from opening this year.

Argentine authorities, meanwhile, have insisted that Lama will proceed with or without Chile, taking advantage of nearby infrastructure used for

Barrick’s Veladero mine, which produces ore just downhill.

Together, the two projects employ thousands of workers, fuel a third of the provincial San Juan economy, and promise millions in revenue for a country sorely in need of hard currency.

But more than 70 percent of Pascua-Lama’s 18 million ounces of gold and 676 million ounces of silver are on the Chilean side. The plan has been to extract it from huge open pits and carry it through a tunnel for processing in Argentina.

Rockfalls are just one of the threats to building anything in the high Andes, where gale-force winds have coated glaciers with construction dust for miles around and groundwater expands and contracts with each freeze and thaw. To refine ore into gold bul-

lion, the company must transport thousands of tons of cyanide, mercury and other toxic chemicals to the mountaintop.

Once the precious metals are gone, Chile will be left with huge rock piles and Argentina with toxic waste that must be contained for generations to come on ever-moving slopes between melting glaciers and snowy peaks.

“I’m so angry at this company,” said Meri del Rosario, 42, of El Corral, Chile. She has thyroid cancer; two cysts were removed from her throat last year. She blames water pollution from Pascua-Lama.

“If they keep working the valley will end up completely dry, and we’ll have to go, and where? I think it’s Barrick that has to go,” she said.—AP

Childhood obesity is gateway to many other chronic diseases

L

ONG known to dramatically increase the risk of certain chronic health conditions later in life, childhood obesity also has serious, immediate health consequences, according to a study conducted by researchers from the University of California-Los Angeles and published in the journal Academic Pediatrics.

The researchers found that overweight children are 30 percent more likely than children of normal weight to suffer from three or more medical, mental or developmental problems; obese children are 200 percent more likely.

“The findings should serve as a wake-up call to physicians, parents and teachers, who should be better informed of the risk for other health conditions associated with childhood obesity,” lead author Neal Halfon said.

Researchers have been aware for some time that even as childhood obesity rates have risen over the last 20 years, so have other childhood chronic conditions such as asthma, learning disabilities and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Although prior studies have looked for a connection between these phenomena, they have either had a small sample size or focused on a single condition or part of the country. In the current study, researchers constructed comprehensive health profiles of nearly 43,300 children between the ages of 10 and 17 across the United States. All children were participants in the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health.

15 percent had body mass indexes (BMIs) between the 85th and 95th percentiles (classified

as overweight), while 16 percent had BMIs above the 95th percentile (classified as obese).

The researchers compared weight with 21 separate indicators of general health, specific health disorders and psychosocial functioning.

The results were adjusted to account for differences in sociodemographic factors. The researchers found that obese children were significantly more likely than normal weight children to suffer from poorer health, more disability, ADHD, allergies, asthma; bone, joint and muscle problems, conduct disorders, depression, developmental delays, ear infections, emotional and behavioral problems, headaches, learning disabilities, and missed school days, grade repetition and other school problems.

“This study paints a comprehensive picture of childhood obesity,” Halfon said, “and we were surprised to see just how many conditions were associated with childhood obesity.”

Further studies will be needed to confirm the current research, Halfon and colleagues noted. In particular, longitudinal studies will help confirm whether obesity causes the associated health conditions, or whether there is some other factor that explains the connection. “Obesity might be causing the co-morbidity, or perhaps the co-morbidity is causing obesity - or both might be caused by some other unmeasured third factor,” Halfon said. “For example, exposure to toxic stress might change the neuroregulatory processes that affect impulse control seen in ADHD, as well as leptin sensitivity, which can contribute to weight gain.”

KARACHI: Former Cheif Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif, Pir Pagaro and Chaudhry Nisar talking to media after meeting at Raja House.—PO photo by Sultan Chaki

PYO set to establish Karachi peace K ARACHI —Peoples Youth the recitation of the Holy Quran Organisation (PYO), is determined to play a role in the establishment of peace in the city and strengthen the federation.

The PYO has announced to hold a “Bhutto Zinadbad- Federal Pakistan Zindabad rally” from Peoples Secretariat to Karachi Press Club, said a statement issued on Friday.

A general workers’ meeting of the Peoples Youth Organisation (PYO), Karachi Division was held under the chair of its Divisional President Rauf Nagori.

A large numbers of party workers and office bearers attended the meeting and Professor N.D. Khan especially participated.

The meeting opened with

and special prayers were offered for the eternal peace to the martyrs.

Important decisions were taken at the meeting regarding the role of PYO for establishment of peace in Karachi and to minimise political polarisation.

For this, a grand rally on the mentioned subject will be taken out as per above mentioned programme as a first step.

The main objective of rally is to convey the message to all political parties to play their due role in maintaining peace in the city and protecting the lives of innocent citizens and their business.

The rally will prove that PPP has no need to win any election to keep its existence.

While addressing on the occasion, President of PYO Rauf Nagori and ND Khan said that the PPP is the party of the masses and a reality.

They further said that there will be no impact of losing an election on its popularity and force. The PPP wants to see a stable country and strengthened democracy, they added.

They added that the holding of elections is a symbol of democracy and defeat and victory is the beauty of democracy.

Despite all reservations, the PPP accepted the electoral results, they maintained. Prof.

N.D. Khan said that Bhutto Zinadabad-Wafaq-e- Pakistan Ziandabad rally and the passions of PYO remind him of the days of Shaheed Bhutto.—APP

KARACHI: Ladies viewing paintings at Art Council.—PO photo

KARACHI: An artisan preparing models of different historical buildings at the Beach.

Focal Group collects water samples from various parts of city

Naegleria: WHO gives 2 kits, pamphlets to Zaidi K A R A C H I —Administrator Sajnani, EDO Health Imdadullah to finish naegleria on initial stage.

The Administrator Karachi Metropolitan Corpora- Siddiqui, Dr. Nida Tariq KARACHI—The nominated Fo- Karachi tion (KMC) Syed Hashim Raza Siddiqui, Dr. Saima Memon, said that citizens should avoid cal Group of Sindh Government, Local Government and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) on Friday visited different areas of the city including Landhi, Korangi, Gulistane- Jauhar, Gulshan- e- Iqbal, Baldia and Orangi to collect water samples.

As many as 59 samples were collected on Friday and were tested in Sindh Government and Naegleria Monitoring Cell Laboratory, a spokesperson of KWSB said.

All samples collected were found satisfactory after the tests, having standard chlorine level.

The Managing Director of KW&SB has directed all Chief Engineers to ensure the standard level of chlorine in all areas in the city, especially in the tail-end areas, it was further stated.—APP

Violence claims 9 more lives K ARACHI —At least nine

Ziadi has said that naegleria was a killer disease and awareness campaign, seminars, lectures and talk shows for protection of citizens from it should be held and pamphlets should be distributed in the whole with the collaboration of World Health Organization (WHO) so that citizens could take precautionary measures.

He said this during a meeting with adelegation of World Health Organization in his office here on Friday.

On this occasion Senior Director Medical Services Dr. A.D.

Engineer Asim Shahzad and other officers were present.

The WHO delegation handed over to Administrator Karachi two kits, 100,000 pamphlets and 300,000 chlorine tablets so that more water samples could be tested and immediate action is taken where possibilities of naegleria germs exist. The Administrator Karachi said that KMC and Water Board were taking measures for protection from this disease but we would also have to make arrangements on long term basis and do our best

having bath in such private swimming pools and farm houses where suitable quantity of chlorine was not included.

He said that chlorine was being put in KMC swimming pools on regular basis.

He also said that international organisations and universities should be contacted for research about naegleria.

This germ should be tested through biological test along with common tests and eliminate those things due to which this germ spreads.—APP

50 Ph.D degrees on Imam Ahmad Raza is a world record KARACHI—Accomplishments of more than 50 Ph.D Degrees on a person, that is, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi is one of the world records, said Vice Chancellor Karachi University Prof. Dr. Muhammad Qaiser.

The articles abstracted from his books, are included in the syllabus of K.U in Islamic History, Pakistan Studies, Urdu, Political Science and Science, he said.

He was addressing the 33rd annual world Imam Ahmad Raza conference held at Shaikh Zaid Auditorium of Karachi University.

Addressing the occasion in Arabic language, Fazilat Ushaikh Abdullah Madani of Madina-e-Munawwara said “research work on Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi is in progress throughout the Arab world.

Grandson of Imam Ahmad Raza, Mufti Mannan Raza

Khan, who came from Bareli to attend the conference said that the whole life of Imam Ahmad Raza was dedicated to exploration of Ishq-e-Mustafa.

Dr. Abdul Nabi Hameedi of South Africa called for promotion of the teachings of Imam Ahmad Raza for the sake of peace and tranquility.

Allama Shaikh Munawer Atiq Rizvi of Oxford University (U.K) also lauded the services of Imam Ahmad Raza.—APP

people were killed in incidents of violence in different parts of Karachi.

Three persons were killed in clash between two rival groups of a banned organization in Pakhtunabad area of Manghu Pir. According to details, a group of banned Tehrik-eTaliban attached members of Mir Zaman group and during exchange of firing three persons, including Khan Boss and Toor Khan were killed.

Police have shifted the dead bodies to Abbasi Shahid Hospital. Police have also found a grenade wrapped around the body of a deceased.

In Railway City Colony, a 24-year-old man Musa and 30year-old Taj Muneer were gunned down by unidentified gunmen. Bodies of the victims were shifted to Civil Hospital for legal formalities.

Meanwhile, two people were killed in firing incident in Surjani Town while two tortured dead bodies were found from Chakiwara and Maripur arKARACHI: Workers of Sindh Qaumi Mohaz seeking acceptance of their demands.—PO photo eas.—NNI

JI resents move to privatise Delhi Public School K ARACHI—Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has demanded of the authorities concerned not to privatise the Delhi Public School. In a statement issued here on Friday, JI General Secretary Karachi Naseem Siddiqui while expressing his concern over the attempts being made to handover the Delhi Public School to private hands said that such attempt will affect the future of the students.

He expressed his solidarity with the teachers, students and their parents, demanding of the authorities concerned not to privatise the school, and said that it will affect the students and the teaching staff.—APP

518 candidates of HSC examination caught using unfair means Karachi—In all, 518 candidates appearing in the ongoing HSC Annual Examinations from the five boards in the province have been caught using unfair means.

This was stated by the Chairman of the committee of heads of the educational boards in Sindh, Prof. Anwar Ahmed Zai, here on Friday. Zai, who is also the Chairman of the Board of Intermediate Education Karachi (BIEK) further stated that the cases of these candidates have been referred to the Unfair Means Committee for appropriate action.—APP

Altaf postpones workers’ convention for a day

Bhutto Zindabad rally today

K ARACHI —The chief of

IRFAN ALIGI

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) has postponed the workers’ convention in which he was going to announce the new members of Rabite Committee has been delayed for one day and it would now be held on Sunday.

According to party sources Altaf Hussain would announce details of a new organizational set-up of his party during the workers’ convention on Sunday which was previously scheduled for Saturday.—NNI

Karachi—A meeting of workers of Peoples Youth Organization (PYO) Karachi Division the President of PYO Rauf Nagori and Prof. ND Khan said that the PPP was the party of the masses and a reality. They further said that there would be no any impact of losing an election on its popularity and force.

The PPP wanted to see stability in the country and strengthened democracy.

Holding of elections was the symbol of democracy and defeat and victory was the beauty of democracy. Despite all reservations, the PPP accepted the electoral results. Bhutto ZinadabadWafaq PakistanZiandabad Rally and passions of PYO recalled me the days of Shaheed Bhutto.

They expressed these views while addressing a meeting held under the chair of its divisional President Rauf Nagori.

A large numbers of party workers and office bearers attended the meeting and Profes-

sor ND Khan especially participated. The opening of meeting of was made by reciting of the Holy Quran and special prayers were offered for the eternal peace martyrs The important decisions were taken at the meeting regarding the role of PYO for establishment of peace in Karachi and to minimize political polarization. For this, a grand rally will be taken out of the mentioned venue as a first step. The main objective of rally is to convey the message to all political

parties to play their due role in maintaining peace in the city and protecting the lives of innocent citizens and their business.

The rally will prove that PPP had no need to win any election to keep its existence.

While addressing the occasion, The secretary Information Malik Zamir Hussain Awan announced on the occasion that a grand rally will be taken out under the leadership of Rauf Nagori from the mentioned venue today

Blood test tracks response to cancer treatment

A

BLOOD test that tracks fragments of DNA shed by dying tumor cells could one day be used to monitor how well patients are responding to cancer treatment, according to a small study in women with advanced breast cancer. Such a test could provide a non-invasive alternative to biopsies, and help adapt treatment to individual patients and the progress of disease.

Researchers at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute at the University of Cambridge in the UK write about their findings in the 13 March online issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Co-lead author, Professor Carlos Caldas, senior group leader at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute, says in a statement: “This study offers a practical application of cancer genomics and highlights the potential of personalised cancer medicine.

By understanding the point at which a cancer changes we can select the most effective treatments and minimise side effects for patients.”

“We can use blood samples to track how breast cancer is progressing as fragments of DNA are shed by cancer cells when they die, meaning they can be detected in blood samples using sensitive new sequencing techniques. The levels of tumor DNA are telling us how the cancer

is responding to treatment,” he adds.

To manage the treatment of cancer, doctors have to assess whether the tumor is growing and spreading. Currently the way to do this is to take biopsies, invasive procedures that remove small samples of tissue and send them to the lab for analysis.

Researchers are studying non-invasive alternatives to biopsies, such as looking for biomarkers in the form of cells or traces of cells that shed from the tumor and enter the bloodstream.

Most studies looking for blood biomarkers tend to focus on cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 15-3) and circulating tumor cells, but advances in genome sequencing technology means searching for fragments of DNA shed from tumor cells, could also be a viable option. Indeed some studies have shown there is potential here in a limited number of various solid cancers. But few cases of breast cancer have been analyzed, explain the researchers.

For their study Caldas and colleagues compared using circulating tumor DNA against the two other well-researched biomarkers, cancer antigen 15-3 (CA 153), and circulating tumor cells, to assess disease progress in 30 women being treated for advanced breast cancer that was spreading (metastic).

Nawaz to address Yaum-i-Takbeer function LAHORE—President of Pakistan Mulsim League Nawz) and Prime Minister-designate, Nawaz Sharif, will be the chief guest and speaker at a function on “Yaum-iTakbeer” at Aiwan-iKarkunan-i-Tehreek-i-Pakistan on Tuesday. The function will be presided over by Majid Nizami, a prominent worker of the Pakistan Movement and illustrious journalist and Chairman of Nazariai-Pakistan trust.

Speakers include Prof Dr Rafique Ahmad, Vice Chairman, Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust, and Lt-Gen. (r) Zulfikar Ali Khan.

The function will be arranged by Nazaria-i-Pakistan Trust in collaboration with the Pakistan Movement Workers Trust.—APP

New rulers must improve economy: Baloch L AHORE —Secretary Gen-

eral, Jamaat-e-Islami, Liaqat Baloch has said the newly elected rulers should seek cooperation of the country’s traders, businessmen, farmers, skilled youth, students and the women folk to improve the country’s economy.

Addressing a businessmen’s function in the city, he said, the economy had been ruined due to corruption and bad governance. The new government would have the major challenge of reviving the country’s economy, he added.

He said that the rulers would have to utilize natural resources for national development and also eradicate corruption, and plug all leakages.

The JI leader expressed deep grief over the martyrdom of Balochistan Constabulary personnel in a terrorism attack in Quetta.

He said the JI would carry on its mission of creating an awakening among the masses for electing an honest, God fearing leadership to realize the goal of a truly IsLAHORE:Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Mr. Justice Umar Ata Bandial laying lamic state.—APP foundation stone of Punjab Judicial Academy at Kala Shah Kaku Interchange.

LHC CJ praises ROs for their polls work devotion SALIM AHMED L AHORE —Chief Justice of the Lahore High Court Mr. Justice Umar Ata Bandial has said that Returning Officers have worked tirelessly with commitment and zeal throughout the province.

Hon’ble Chief Justice was addressing the foundation laying ceremony of the Punjab Judicial Academy near Kala Shah Kaku interchange. Mr Justice Sh Najamul Hassan, Mr. Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and Mr. Justice Sardar Tariq Masood also graced the event. Hon’ble Chief Justice said that the criticism from some vested interests on the conduct of general elections is uncalled for . The judges are secluded persons and cannot answer their criticism.

Hon’ble Chief Justice advised the critics to move the

proper forum in black and white for redressal of their grievances rather belittling the remarkable services rendered by the District Judiciary.. Being the head of the provincial judiciary, I have appointed the persons for holding of elections and I take the responsibility, his lordship observed.

Hon’ble Chief Justice said that institutions are not made of bricks and mud but the people of integrity strengthen the state institutions. Our job was to serve the people. Nation has reposed confidence in the institution of judiciary.

About 20 lakh cases are be-

ing filed annually in the District Judiciary and the same number of cases are being disposed of.

We have also cleared the backlog of old cases filed before 2008. 31 districts have zero pendency of old cases, the HCJ maintained. The Hon’ble Chief Justice said that during his tenure as head of the Punjab Judiciary, he had hardly found any complaint of corruption against the judicial officers. The major cause of concern is delay in the dispensation of justice which can be overcome by proper case management and training of judicial officers.

PPP hails announcement of MBS for Karachi STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Secretary Information of PPP, Qamar Zaman Kaira, has welcomed the announcement of Punjab Chief Minister-designate Shahbaz Sharif in Karachi Saturday regarding building an integrated infrastructure for the Metro Bus Service in the metropolis as a gift to the residents from Nawaz Sharif.

He pointed out that the younger Sharif must be mindful of the fact that the MBS, Lahore, was required Rs. One billion subsidy per month to keep it operational and huge amount would be required in case of Karachi. He expressed the hope that the next federal government would take care of this aspect

in its entirety.

Kaira expressed the hope that the project will see the light of the day sooner than later and thus the need will not arise for Nawaz Sharif to regret by saying that his younger brother was carried away by his fit of oratory in which he indulged quite frequently.

He added that regretfully Shahbaz Sharif was known for amassing absolute power adding he had the proven record during his pervious tenure in Punjab when he kept twelve departments under his thumb thus defied the spirit of parliamentary democracy. Collective wisdom is the essence of democracy and those who believe in their unblemished judgment are alien to democratic ethos, he maintained.

Cops to work six days a week

LAHORE: Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Najam Sethi opens Africa show at the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry with High Commissioner of Kenya and Dean of African countries Ms. Mishi. Ambassadors of Egypt and Algeria are also seen in the picture.

Sethi stresses to promote trade with African bloc STAFF REPORTER L AHORE —Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Najam Sethi, has said that the nature of relations between countries and nations has changed in the present era. He said that the socio-economic and trade relations have become important. The Chief Minister said that the African countries are rich in gold, diamond, oil and other minerals. He said that mountains, rivers, deserts and precious minerals exist in Pakistan. Najam Sethi stressed the need for taking concrete measures for promoting trade between Pakistan and African countries. He said that the population of Africa consists of one billion persons and a very big market is there. He said that huge precious foreign exchange can be earned by exporting Pakistani products to African countries. He said that the exhibition of African countries’ products in the provincial metropolis is a welcoming step and this exhibition will help in promoting trade and economic relations between Pakistan and African countries.

He expressed these views while talking to media after inaugurating the exhibition “Africa Show-2013” and addressing a special function held in connection with Africa Day at Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry today.

Advisor for Taxation, Zia Haider Rizvi, High Commissioner of Kenya and Dean of African Group in Pakistan Mrs. Mishi Masika Mwatsahu, Ambassadors and High Commissioners of African countries, President Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry Farooq Iftikhar, Senior Vice President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh, Vice Presidents Mian Abu Zar Shah, Iftikhar Ali Malik, officebearers and a large number of businessmen attended the function.

Addressing the function, Najam Sethi said that participation in a function held in connection with Africa Day under the aegis of Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry is an honour for him.

He said that African countries are progressing rapidly and taking practical steps for enhancing the exports of their products. That is why, Ambas-

sadors and High Commissioners of African countries are present in the function today, he added. The Chief Minister said that arranging the exhibition of products in Lahore by African countries is a praiseworthy step which will help in promoting trade cooperation between Pakistan and Africa.

He said that the institutions regarding promotion of exports exist in Pakistan but no attention was paid to enhancing exports. Najam Sethi said that some African countries have improved their economy by promoting tourism. He said that vast opportunities of tourism are also available in Pakistan. He said that mountains, rivers, historical places, deserts and beautiful tourism places exist in the country but, unfortunately, no attention was paid to the promotion of tourism. He said that we should benefit from the experiences of African countries.

The Chief Minister said that a comprehensive planning should be made for the promotion of tourism and country’s exports. He said that the great leader of South Africa Nelson Mandela made an

impressive struggle, that is why, he is known like a great statesman all over the world.

While welcoming the participants, the Chief Minister congratulated people of African countries on Africa Day. Talking to media, Najam Sethi said that holding of peaceful and transparent elections was the mandate of caretaker setup. He thanked Almighty Allah on successfully discharging this national responsibility. Replying to a question, he said that whatever humanly possible was done for protecting the children from measles and providing treatment to the affected children. Replying to a question about the exhibition on Africa Day, the Chief Minister said that the exhibition of African countries’ products is a good step as a result of which besides government, contacts at people level will also be strengthened. He said that African countries have given importance to trade and taken solid steps for increasing exports but small industries in Pakistan were closed for not taking effective steps for the promotion of trade activities.

Call to raise minimum wages

L AHORE —All offices of Punjab police will remain open six days a week instead of five working days on the orders of the Inspector General of Police.

According to a notification on Saturday, all offices of Punjab police will observe weekly off on Sunday, except operational offices.—APP

L AHORE —Workers urged

the newly-elected government to raise minimum wages to Rs 15,000.

In a statement issued here on Saturday, Khurshid Ahmed, General Secretary Pakistan Workers Federation, said the government should raise salaries of government, semi-government and private sector employees by 30 percent along with pension benefits in the forthcoming budget. He said the newly-elected government should accord the highest priority to overcome STAFF REPORTER power loadshedding in the country by providing gas and LAHORE—Pakistan Institute LAHORE: Visitors taking interest in the items displayed during an exhibition in con- oil to closed thermal power stations at the earliest.—APP of Fashion and Designs nection with National Day of South Africa.

(PIFD) organised an annual thesis show of graduates of the institute on Saturday. A student of graduation in jewellery design, Fatima Agha, told media persons that thesis of students who had completed their graduaand Khyber premier’s notice. A petition was L AHORE —Massive electric- Punjab tion, were exhibited here.

She said thirteen stu- ity load shedding has trig- Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have also filed in Lahore High Court dents, including twelve fe- gered protests in most af- been subjected to prolonged Saturday seeking formation of L AHORE —One more child male and one male student, fected areas on Saturday. and unscheduled electricity judicial commission on elec- who had been suffering from completed their graduation After remaining out of elec- load shedding varying be- tricity issue. The petitioner has measles died in Lahore on and thesis which had been tricity, people went berserk to tween 18 to 20 hours a day. asked court to issue directives Saturday, taking the death stage protests on roads. Pro- At present, the power sup- to end all the private power toll in the current outbreak in displayed.

Fatima has completed her longed power outages have ply across the country is companies and restore Water Punjab to 103. thesis in Wushmalay, not only broke the back of 9,500 MW with demand and Power Development AuPunjab Health DepartBalochi Kasheeda. She said already crippled business around 16,500 MW. Prime thority (WAPDA). It was ment has failed to control more fashion and design in- activities, but also created Minister Mir Hazar Khan also mentioned in the petition measles outbreak despite stitutes should be made and severe problems for the citi- Khoso has taken notice of that concerned authorities vaccination campaign. students should also come zens who are facing unsched- worsening electricity short- have created temporary elecThe victim is a six-yearto fashion and design as it uled electricity load shed- age and directed Minister on tricity shortage for their per- old Adeel who was undergohad become an industry. She ding of 20 hours round the Water and Power to take im- sonal interests, thus, a judi- ing treatment but unluckily mediate steps to improve the cial commission should be he could not survive. Acsaid it was a vast field and stu- clock. formed to look into the mat- cording to hospital sources, The power outages have situation. dents could brighten name of However, the Power Min- ter and bring those respon- the deceased belonged to the country by introducing created severe water shortage in most areas. Especially, istry seems unmoved despite sible to justice.—Agencies Badami Bagh.—Online new fashion trends.

Exhibition on thesis of PIFD students

Protests continue against killing load shedding

Another child succumbs to measles, toll rises to 103